title: Bulky cervical liposarcoma associated with sleep apnea syndrome.
abstract: Sarcomas of the head and neck are relatively infrequent tumors. Liposarcomas represent 10-16% of all soft tissue sarcomas and <5% of them arise from the head and neck. The retropharyngeal area is rarely involved. We present the case of a middle-aged male with clinical symptoms of sleep apnea. A fiber-optic examination revealed a soft submucosal lesion compressing the posterior pharyngeal wall, with partial obstruction of the airway tract. CT showed a large heterogeneous prevertebral mass (6 x 20 cm(2)) occupying the posterior mediastinum. A transoral submucosal biopsy was performed. Histological findings were compatible with a low-grade liposarcoma. The mass was removed in monoblock using a classical laterocervical neck incision. The surgical specimen weighed 500 g. After 24 months of follow-up no signs of tumor recurrence or sleep apnea syndrome were noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. ferran.ballesteros@gmail.com
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jose Sanz
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maria Guilemany
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moragas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaspa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernal-Sprekelsen
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D004724:Endoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome