Parapharyngeal Tumour Surgery

Tumors of the parapharyngeal space (PPS), a potential space lateral to the upper pharynx, are uncommon, making up less than 1% of all head and neck neoplasms. Both benign and malignant tumors may arise from any of the structures contained in this space. Of PPS tumors, 70-80% are benign, and 20-30% are malignant. Most PPS tumors are of salivary or neurogenic origin, although metastatic lesions, lymphoreticular lesions, and a variety of uncommon, miscellaneous lesions or masses may arise in this location.

Types of tumors:

Parapharyngeal space tumors are rare and account for 0.5% of head and neck tumors, 80% benign and 20% malignant;

• Salivary gland neoplasms (benign to malignant ratio 3:1): majority of parapharyngeal space tumor, mostly in the prestyloid space.
• Neurogenic neoplasms: second most common, mostly in the poststyloid space. The most common neurogenic neoplasms are: vagal schwannomas, sympathetic trunk schwannomas, and vagal paragangliomas.
• Vascular and lymphatic lesions: aneurysms, hemangiomas, hemangiopericytomas, lymphatics malformation.
• Others: lipomas, sarcomas, lymphoma.
• Metastatic lesions: squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx, oral cavity, & oropharynx. Thyroid cancer.

Performed more than 30 surgeries for parapharyngeal swelling in paediatric and adult patient.