title: Rare cases of large parapharyngeal lipomas.
abstract: Primary tumors of the parapharyngeal space are extremely rare, and lipomas are among the least common primary parapharyngeal space masses. Parapharyngeal lipomas typically present as a painless neck mass, and some may present with neurologic deficits or vascular compromise attributed to the lipomas' mass effect on nearby neurovascular structures. We report long term follow-up of two large parapharyngeal lipomas. One lesion was managed expectantly, and the other was managed with a partial transcervical excision. We demonstrate that conservative management and long term patient follow-up may be reasonable if the patient is asymptomatic and liposarcoma is ruled out. Considering the uncertainty in the need for removal, the management strategy for the individual patient is best to be tailored to their clinical presentation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA. Electronic address: matthew.crowson@dm.duke.edu.
authors.forename: Matthew G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Crowson
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA.
authors.forename: Ramon M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Esclamado
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D035583:Rare Diseases; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D057832:Watchful Waiting