Parapharyngeal space tumors: another consideration for otalgia and temporomandibular disorders.
BACKGROUND
Parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors are rare, accounting for 0.5% of all head and neck neoplasms. PPS tumors are difficult to diagnose due to limited presenting signs and symptoms and because of their location deep within the neck.


RESULTS
A 60-year-old woman presented with complaints of otalgia, which appeared to be consistent with a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Due to disproportionate symptoms, an MRI of the temporomandibular joints was ordered. The MRI revealed a mass within the PPS, which was later diagnosed as a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. A literature search failed to reveal otalgia, and facial pain, thought to be related to a TMD, as the primary presenting symptoms of a PPS neoplasm.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients presenting with disproportionate signs and symptoms of a TMD should be evaluated with advanced imaging to rule out occult pathology.
Department of Oral Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Courtney C
CC
Grosskopf
Arthur S
AS
Kuperstein
Bert W
BW
O'Malley
Thomas P
TP
Sollecito
D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D004433:Earache / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology*