Huge parapharyngeal space tumor: Case report and short literature review

The parapharyngeal space (PPS) has a special anatomical and clinical importance from the point of view of its content, communication and vicinity with major and vital structures. Tumors of the parapharyngeal space are uncommon, the most incriminated being the salivary gland tumors, neurogenic tumors, especially Schwannomas and paragangliomas, and lymphoreticular lesions. The correct diagnosis of the PPS tumors must include the radiologic evaluation represented by the computed tomography (CT) and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The therapeutic plan depends on the imagistically identified aspect. We report a case of a 40-year-old male, who initially noted a massive tumor of the left side of the neck within 15 years. The cervical CT scan revealed, in the upper third of the left side of the neck, in the projection of the parotid and masticatory space and the submandibular region, under the lower jaw, medially at the level of cervical vertebrae C1 – C4, to the front of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, a volumetric formation irregular in shape, with clear and uneven contours, dimensions 40x65x85 mm, uniform density +30H. Transverse cervical approach was chosen for the surgical investigation.