Classification of tumors by imaging diagnosis and preoperative fine‐needle aspiration cytology in 120 patients with tumors in the parapharyngeal space

Abstract

Background Tumors in the parapharyngeal space are rare, and preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of anatomical and histological complexity. Methods To evaluate the usefulness of preoperative diagnosis, we compared the classification of tumor localization in the prestyloid and retrostyloid compartments by imaging and preoperative cytological diagnosis by fine‐needle aspiration cytology with the postoperative histopathological diagnosis in 120 patients with tumors in the parapharyngeal space. Results Tumors were located in the prestyloid and retrostyloid compartments in 68 and 52 patients, respectively. The majority of histopathological diagnoses in the prestyloid and retrostyloid compartments were pleomorphic adenoma and schwannoma, respectively. All malignant tumors were in the prestyloid compartment. The preoperative cytological diagnostic rate for benign or malignant tumor was 95.2%, which was not inferior to that for other head and neck lesions. Conclusion Our results suggested that the preoperative classification of tumor localization and cytological diagnosis improved the accuracy of presumptive diagnosis.

Hybrid peripheral nerve sheath tumor of parapharyngeal space having features of neurofibroma and schwannoma in an 8-year-old child – A rare entity

“…All four preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsies were inconclusive by Luna-Ortiz et al , but a study by Matsuki et al showed 95.2% diagnostic rate of FNAC in PPS tumors, however among those neurogenic tumors of retrostyloid compartment had high diagnostic rate (33%)of inadequate samples. [ 13 18 ] The pathological finding is suggestive of hybrid PNST with mixed features of schwannoma and neurofibroma. IHC stain profile is consistent with the diagnosis of hybrid neurofibroma/schwannoma, S100 and GFAP positivity confirms a neural tumor and negative SMA excludes muscular tumor.…”

Primary neoplasms of the parapharyngeal space: diagnostic and therapeutic pearls and pitfalls

“…Regarding correlation with definitive histopathology, FNAC properly diagnosed most pleomorphic adenomas, but was not more informative in the remaining cases. Given the substantial histological heterogeneity of salivary gland tumors, determining the exact subtype of tumor based only on FNAC is a well-known challenge [ 18 , 26 , 27 ]. Transoral biopsies should be performed only in cases where transoral resection is feasible and intended, because it may complicate later transcervico-parotid tumor removal and be associated with tumor spillage.…”

Removal of a Giant Parapharyngeal Space Oncocytoma Without Osteotomy

“…Malignant tumors account for 12.7%-20%. 3,4 Their proximity to important nerves and blood vessels, such as the lower cranial nerves and internal carotid artery, restricts the surgical field, making surgery difficult and prone to postoperative complications. 5 Oncocytoma is a rare benign epithelial tumor that occurs in the salivary glands, kidneys, and thyroid gland.…”