Abstract
Tumors arising in the parapharyngeal space are rare. We reviewed cases of parapharyngeal space tumors that had been operated on between 1999 and 2010. The pathological diagnosis of these tumors was pleomorphic adenoma (7 cases), schwannoma (3 cases), basal cell adenoma (2 cases), an ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (1 case) and adenocarcinoma (2 cases). Fifteen of the cases had tumors present in the prestyloid parapharyngeal space, and in three were present in the retrostyloid parapharyngeal space. A cervical approach and a cervical-parotid approach were used, but not a mandibular swing approach. All three tumors in the retrostyloid region were schwannoma, and enduring postoperative complications were identified in these patients. Two malignant tumors were in the prestyloid region. Therefore, prestyloid parapharyngeal space tumors should be referred for surgery. However, it appears necessary to be more careful in determining a referral for surgery, by considering symptoms, social background and age of patients with retrostyloid parapharyngeal space tumors.
