Papillary thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the parapharyngeal space.
Nodal metastases from head and neck primary cancer presenting as a parapharyngeal space mass are rare. This paper reports two cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the parapharyngeal space. This finding can be related to Rouviere's description of a direct lymphatic pathway from the posterior surface of the superior thyroid lobe to the lateral retropharyngeal nodes. Metastatic thyroid cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a parapharyngeal space mass.
Ducci
M
M
Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Bozza
F
F
Pezzuto
R W
RW
Palma
L
L
D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA