부인두강 종양의 수술적 치료

Abstract

The parapharyngeal space is an inverted pyramid shaped potential anatomical space consisting of loose connective tissue. It is located just lateral to the fascia covering the constrictor muscle of pharynx, and is bounded laterally by medial pterygoid, mandible, parotid and digastric muscle. It extends rostrally to the base of skull, and caudally to the hyoid bone level. Tumor expansion occurs medially toward the lateral pharyngeal wall, laterally between the tail of the parotid and submandibular glands, and posteriorly to the retromandibular area. Tumors of the parapharyngeal space is frequently benign, and symptoms may be subtle and insidious in nature. CT scanning is the most useful radiographic modality employed in the evaluation of parapharyngeal space and it provides crucial information for adequate surgical approach combined with carotid angiography. This paper is a retrospective study of 5 patients with parapharyngeal space tumors which were completely removed through transcervical approach and transparotid cervical approach.