Abstract
Parapharyngeal space tumors (PPS) are rare, representing only 0.5% of head and neck neoplasm. 7 patients diagnosed with PPS tumors which presented to us within a span of two years were included. Cytopathologic evaluation was done by fine needle aspiration cytology, computed tomography and ultrasonography guidance wherever necessary. Histopathology confirmation was available in all the cases. The age of the patient ranged from 15-55 years with male to female ratio 1:1. The commonest clinical presentation was a slowly increasing painless mass in neck. Out of 7 cases the tumors encountered were pleomorphic adenoma (02), neurofibroma (01), Schwannoma (01), Paraganglioma (01), Lipoma (01), Angiofibroma (01). Two false negative cases were encountered. Overall diagnostic accuracy being 71.4%. With proper clinical and radiological assessment, FNAC can be extremely useful in diagnosing most of these lesions except a few which need histopathological confirmation. DOI: 10.21276/AABS.2017.1331
Highlights
PPS is a rare location for head and neck tumors (1)
Other symptoms seen included foreign body sensation, dysphagia, hoarseness of voice and impaired hearing.Cytomorphological patterns were evaluated by doing Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with 10cc syringes and 22 gauge/24 gauge needle following the standard procedure (11)
FNAC was done under guidance (Computed tomography/ ultrasonography) as and when necessary
Summary
PPS is a rare location for head and neck tumors (1). It is a space in the supra hyoid neck that contain fat and is surrounded by several other spaces defined by the fascial layers of neck (15). Para pharyngeal space tumors often present therapeutic and preoperative diagnostic problems due to variable nonspecific symptoms and complex anatomy of the region. On FNAC cytomorphology of meningioma mimics that of other head and neck tumours like acinic cell carcinoma and paraganglioma etc.(18). The possibility of meningioma should be kept in the differential diagnosis of PPS tumour. It is very important to diagnose the nature of tumor whether benign or malignant prior to therapy, because treatment protocol is variable and early diagnosis can give better survival rate
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