RESEARCH AND REVIEWS: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parapharyngeal Space: A Common Tumour at an Uncommon Site.

Tumours arising in parapharyngeal space accounts for less than 1% of all head and neck tumours. Though pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign minor salivary gland tumour but it is a rare occurrence in parapharyngeal space. Here we present a case of pleomorphic adenoma arising in parapharyngeal space in a 70 year old man who presented with a painless slow growing intra-oral swelling and dysphagia since 6 months.Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed an ill defined soft tissue density mass of size 46 mm at right infra temporal fossa. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was suggestive of PA. The entire tumor mass was excised along with overlying mucosa. Histopathological examination confirmed diagnosis of PA of minor salivary gland. There has been no recurrence of the lesion since 6 months.