Diagnosis and treatment of Schwannoma of the parapharyngeal space on the example of a 14-year-old male patient

Abstract

The parapharyngeal space is located on the side of the pharynx wall. It is an inverted pyramid-shaped anatomical area filled with adipose and connective tissue. Schwannoma (neurinoma) is a benign tumour that originates from the Schwann cells that form the myelin sheaths of nerves. This neoplasm in the parapharyngeal space usually arises from the vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk. Parapharyngeal space tumours are often a complicated diagnostic and therapeutic problem. A 14-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital because of a feeling of discomfort in the throat due to a nodular lesion on the right side. The lesion was removed through transoral approach. The patient remains under laryngological and oncological care. In follow-up examinations 6 months and 1 year after surgery, no features of recurrence were revealed. Due to their rare occurrence, non-specific symptoms, and anatomical topography, the diagnostic and therapeutic process of parapharyngeal space tumours is very difficult.