title: Extensive solitary fibrous tumor of the retropharyngeal space.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare neoplasm whose histologic diagnosis poses significant problems in differential diagnosis. Although most of these neoplasms arise at the level of the pleura, there have also been reports of extrapleural origins. The most frequent localization in the head and neck region is in the nasal cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the case of an 81-year-old patient with an SFT that arose in the retropharyngeal space. Symptoms were solid food dysphagia associated with modest dyspnea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical examination revealed the presence on the posterior pharyngeal wall of an apparently circumscribed, multilobed mass, which was compact in consistency and partially obstructed the upper aerodigestive tract. After radiologic assessment to carefully evaluate its size and relationship to surrounding structures, the tumor was surgically removed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of immunohistochemical findings in the histologic differential diagnosis are discussed. Follow-up plays a crucial role in evaluating the possible recurrence of such tumors, because parameters for determining their aggressiveness are still controversial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, ENT Section, S. Chiara University Hospital, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa Italy.
authors.forename: Augusto P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Casani
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: Iacopo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dallan
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ciancia
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muscatello
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery