Parapharyngeal space tumors: Fifty-one cases managed in a single tertiary care center

AbstractConclusions: Pre-operative planning for parapharyngeal tumors must include meticulous analysis. Factors such as tumor size, distance to cranial base, and relation to neurovascular structures must guide the selection of a surgical approach. Objective: To summarize experience in diagnosis and surgical management of parapharyngeal tumors, analyzing the frequencies of various tumoral types, clinical presentation, choice of surgical approach and outcomes. This study also compares the results with the most relevant case series in the literature. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of the records of 51 patients treated by the team, from 1984–2012. Only primary tumors were included, excluding invasion from adjacent spaces and metastatic disease. All patients underwent imaging studies and surgical resection of the neoplasm. Cytological analysis and arteriography were used on an individualized basis. Surgical excision was performed via different approaches, predominantly through a cervicoparotid r...