Dumbbell-shaped solitary fibrous tumor in the parapharyngeal space:A case report

BACKGROUND Solitary fibrous tumors(SFTs)occurring in the parapharyngeal space are rare,and their final diagnosis depends on pathological and immunohistochemical analyses.Once the tumor is diagnosed,complete resection and regular postoperative follow-up are required.CASE SUMMARY A 40-year-old male patient with a right parotid gland mass discovered 8 years ago was admitted to hospital.The mass showed no tenderness or local skin redness.Imaging was carried out as the patient had stable vital signs and showed that the mass was a dumbbell-shaped tumor comprising a superficial tumor approximately 5 cm long and 3 cm wide in size that compressed the right parotid gland and a deep tumor located in the right parapharyngeal space approximately 4.5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide in size.Both tumors were connected in the middle.Prior to surgery,the tumors were considered to be parapharyngeal schwannomas.During surgical dissection,the tumors were found to be smooth and tough,without obvious adhesion to the surrounding tissues.The tumors were revealed to be a SFT following postoperative pathological analysis.CONCLUSION SFTs in the parapharyngeal space are rarely reported,and complete resection of such tumor is recommended.Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is used in patients with extensive tumor invasion to lower the recurrence rate.Postoperative longterm follow-up is required.

Endoscopy-assisted transoral approach for parapharyngeal space tumors:Our experience and a systematic review of the literature

Background:Several approaches have been described for the excision of parapharyngeal space tumors(PPSTs).Advances in endoscopy gave a further stimulus to the use of the transoral route.Aims:We present our experience with the endoscopy-assisted transoral approach(EATA)in this regard and a review of the most recent literature about EATA for PPSTs excision.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively analyzed our experience and systematically reviewed the literature about the outcomes of this technique.Results:Seven PPSTs were completely excised,with three of them requiring a combined transcervical approach.Only one case of postoperative wound dehiscence was registered,and the mean length of stay was 3.9 days.Final histopathological examination confirmed the results obtained with preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy in all cases and no recurrences were apparent after a mean follow-up of 28.1 months.Discussion:Magnetic resonance imaging,the modified Mallampati score and the 8 Ts criteria are useful instruments for the choice of the most appropriate surgical approach.Conclusion:In light of our experience and following other published series in the literature,we believe that EATA may represent a safe and effective approach for the treatment of the majority of PPSTs.

Pre-mental foramen mandibulotomy for resecting tumors of tongue base and parapharyngeal space

Background Resection of tumors arising from the tongue base and the parapharyngeal space is difficult for exposure and manipulation because of their obscure location. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical approach of the pre-mental foramen mandibulotomy for resecting the tumors of tongue base and parapharyngeal space. Methods Fifty-one patients with tumors of tongue base and parapharyngeal space were treated using the mandibulotomy approach on the pre-mental foramen. In the present study, this technique was described in detail. The patients were followed up for three months to six years with a mean of 26 months. Results The tumors of tongue base and parapharyngeal space could be exposed clearly and be resected radically by surgical approach of pre-mental foramen mandibulotomy. The surgical complications were reduced. Conclusions Compared to other surgical approaches, such as lateral mandibulotomy, midline mandibulotomy, the suprahyoid parapharyngeal approach, and paramedian mandibulotomy, we found that the pre-mental foramen mandibulotomy is the ideal choice for resecting the tumors of tongue base and parapharyngeal space.

内镜辅助治疗咽旁间隙肿瘤研究进展

咽旁间隙是颈侧上部潜在的组织间隙,其组织多形性和解剖位置深在使得咽旁间隙肿瘤的临床治疗较为困难。作为咽旁间隙最常用的术式,颈侧入路及其变式已在长期的临床应用得到巩固,但此入路创伤大,并发症多也是临床上不可回避的问题。近年来,内镜系统的发展既打开了传统入路的局面,也开拓了崭新的手术入路。本文针对咽旁间隙肿瘤切除术的内镜辅助入路进行概述,旨在为临床上治疗难治性咽旁间隙肿瘤提供诊疗思路。