Surgical approach for parapharyngeal space tumor

Abstract

The tumors arising in the parapharyngeal space are relatively rare. The parapharyngeal spaces are difficult regions to resect the tumors due to its anatomical characteristics, including important nerves and vessels. The majority of parapharyngeal tumors are parotid gland origin and neurogenic tumors. There are several surgical approaches to the parapharyngeal space as follows: transoral approach and cervical approach (transparotid approach, transsubmandibular approach, cervical approach with osteotomy and infratemporal fossa approach). In this report five cases are presented, and the relations among the surgical approaches, tumor sizes and their pathological diagnosis are reviewed in the past literature.