[Primary tumours of the parapharyngeal space. Our experience in 51 patients].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Tumours of the parapharyngeal space are rare, representing only 0.5 % of head and neck oncology. The aim of this study is to present our experience with the diagnosis and therapies for these tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: This study is a retrospective review of 51 patients diagnosed as having tumours of the parapharyngeal space and treated surgically between 1984 and 2006. Tumours originating in the deep lobe of parotid gland were excluded.

RESULTS: Seventy percent of the parapharyngeal space neoplasms were benign and thirty percent malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common neoplasm (37 %), followed by miscellaneous benign tumours (34 %), paraganglioma (21 %), and neurogenic tumours (8 %). Surgery was chosen in all case, with the transcervical approach used in 32 cases, the cervical-transparotid approach in 13 cases, the transmandibular approach in 4 cases (with mandibulectomy in 1 patient), the transoral approach in 1 case, and the infratemporal fossa approach in 1 case. The most common complications were those deriving from damage to nerve structures.

CONCLUSIONS: Most parapharyngeal space tumours can be removed surgically with a low rate of complications and recurrence. The transcervical approach is the most frequently used.