True Parapharyngeal Space Tumors: Case Series from a Teaching Oncology Center

Abstract

The Parapharyngeal Space (PPS) tumors are rare tumors accounting for 0.5% of the tumors in head and neck region. A retrospective study conducted at Department of Surgical oncology, Vydehi institute of Medical Sciences & Research center, Bengaluru, between 2010 and 2015 identified nine cases treated for PPS tumors. Patients are diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination fine needle aspiration cytology and imaging and considered for excision by one of the varied surgical approaches {transoral(1), transcervical(4), transparotid(0), transcervical-transparotid(1), transmandibular(3) or intratemporal(0) approach}. The choice of approach is defined by the size of the tumor, suspicion of malignancy and the position of the tumor with regard to the superior extent and proximity to the skull base as well as its relation with neurovascular bundle.

Keywords: Mandibular swing; Parapharyngeal space masses; Parapharyngeal space tumors; Surgery; Transcervical; Transparotid.

Fig. 1

Clinical photograph showing a swelling in the right lateral side wall of oropharynx

Fig. 2

Axial CT showing mass lesion in the right parapharyngeal space

Fig. 3

Post excision cavity after removal of the mass via transcervicall approach