title: Parapharyngeal angiolipoma causing obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is the cessation of airflow with the continuance of respiratory effort during sleep. OSAS associated with a neck mass is extremely rare. Angiolipoma is a rare, benign, fatty tumour composed of mature lipocytes and multiple areas containing angiomatous elements. The treatment for an angiolipoma is surgical excision. We report the case of a 47-year-old male who presented with a history of loud snoring associated with sleep apnoea. A polysomnographic study demonstrated an apnoea-hypopnoea index of 72/h. CT showed a 3.5 x 3 x 8 cm3 hypoattenuated mass of fat density in the left parapharyngeal space causing an impression on the nasopharynx and oropharynx with a peripheral hyperintense area. A cervical transparotid surgical approach was used. A histological study led to the definitive diagnosis of angiolipomal without evidence of malignancy. After surgery, the snoring disappeared and the patient remained tumour-free after 54 months of follow-up. This is the first case in the literature of a patient with nocturnal polysomnographic-documented OSAS caused by a left parapharyngeal angiolipoma.
authors.affiliation: Rhinology Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain. 32874iao@comb.es
authors.forename: Isam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alobid
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Benítez
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berenguer
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernal-Sprekelsen
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mullol
mesh_terms: D018206:Angiolipoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome