title: Parapharyngeal tumours: a review of 23 cases.
abstract: The anatomy of the parapharyngeal space is described and experience with 23 patients with parapharyngeal tumours seen over a 10-year period is reported. Despite reaching a large size, these tumours may be relatively asymptomatic, or be discovered incidently. CT scan, MRI, arteriography and fine needle aspiration are useful in establishing a diagnosis. The most common histological type (13/23 patients) was pleomorphic adenoma and these tumours were managed by transoral removal if small, or a combined transoral-external approach if large. No patient required a mandibulotomy for access and no benign tumour recurred. The outcome was poor in the 5 patients with malignant tumours and a more radical approach, midline mandibulotomy, should be considered if malignancy is suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van der Waal
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Snow
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005918:Glomus Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery