Giant hamartoma of the nasopharynx – case report

Abstract

Introduction: Hamartoma is a developmental disorder. Aim: The aim of this study is to present a case of hamartoma of naso- and oropharynx and discuss the possible surgical approaches. Case study: A a 55-year-old male patient, who had undergone a tracheotomy due to increasing breathing difficulties was admitted to Head and Neck Diseases Clinic in the Clinical University Hospital in Olsztyn with the aim of proceeding further. Results and discussion: The parapharyngeal space is divided into the prestyloid and the retrostyloid compartment.Tumours of parapharyngeal space are responsible for 1% of head and neck tumours; 80% of these tumours are benign lesions, most often originating from the parotid gland (50% of all the cases). Conclusions: The treatment of choice for benign lesions like the hamartoma is a surgical resection. It is important to choose a suitable surgical approach considering morphotic parameters of a tumour, anatomic and topographic conditions.