[Schwannoma of the parapharyngeal space]. / Shvannoma parafaringeal'nogo prostranstva.

Schwannoma is a benign neoplasm that develops from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath. The share of neurogenic tumors of the parapharyngeal space accounts for 0.5% of all neoplasms of this localization. The article demonstrates a case from practice, presents the clinical features, diagnostics and methods of treatment for patients with pharyngeal neuromas. The peculiarity of the presented clinical observation is due to the rare occurrence of this pathology and the large size of the schwannoma in the long-term asymptomatic course of the disease.

Perioperative stroke in parapharyngeal space schwannoma: an unusual, dreaded complication.

BACKGROUND: Post-styloid parapharyngeal space tumours (PPS) have a notorious course owing to their anatomy and proximity to neurovascular bundles. Nerve injuries are usual outcomes in schwannomas. Our case is the first documented complication of contralateral hemiplegia occurring in the postoperative period in a benign PPS tumour. CASE REPORT: A 24-year-old presented with a swelling on the left lateral aspect of the neck, diagnosed as a PPS schwannoma. He underwent transcervical excision with mandibulotomy with extracapsular dissection of the tumour. Contralateral hemiplegia, as a dreaded complication, was encountered. He was managed conservatively according to ASPECTS stroke guidelines by the critical care team. On a regular follow-up, he noticed an improvement in the lower limb with subsequent upper limb power. CONCLUSION: Perioperative stroke is a dreaded complication involving PPS in large benign tumours. To prevent unforeseen circumstances, necessary preoperative patient counselling and immense intraoperative care should be taken while dissecting the major vessels.

Transoral Approach to Parapharyngeal Space Tumours: Preliminary Reports from a Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to identify certain parapharyngeal space tumours with specific characteristics that can be treated successfully through an endoscopically assisted transoral approach (EATA). METHODS: Nine patients with PPS tumours underwent surgery through an EATA between 2003 and 2021. All patients underwent clinical examination and fibrolaryngoscopy. Preoperative CT and/or MRI was performed on all patients. RESULTS: All the patients were successfully treated through an endoscopically assisted transoral approach. Histological examination revealed five pleomorphic adenomas, two schwannomas, one ectopic thyroid gland and one lipoma. The only long-term sequelae observed was Horner syndrome in the two schwannomas arising from the carotid space. The mean hospitalisation time was 2.6 days, while the mean follow-up time was of 9.7 years. CONCLUSIONS: An endoscopically assisted transoral approach (EATA) is a valid technique for treating benign capsulated tumours of the true PPS and some benign capsulated tumours of the superomedial aspect of the carotid space.

Transnasal drainage prevents surgical cavity related complications in transoral robotic surgery resected parapharyngeal space tumors.

BACKGROUND: There is no evidence about the relationship between surgical cavity drainage and related postoperative complications in transoral robotic surgery (TORS) resected parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical efficacy and advantage of transnasal PPS drainage to prevent surgical cavity related complications (SCRC) in TORS resected PPS tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients undergoing TORS for PPS tumors were identified. In the experimental group (EG, 8 patients), the surgical incision was sutured directly and the transnasal drainage tube was placed. In the control group (CG, 15 patients), the surgical incision was partially sutured without drainage. The healing grade of surgical incision (HGSI), healing grade of surgical cavity (HGSC), SCRC, and other complications were compared. RESULTS: There were significant statistical differences in postoperative clinical rehabilitation indexes (HGSI/HGSC/SCRC) between the two groups. The comparison results of HGSI and HGSC in the two groups (EG vs CG) were (100% vs 66.7%) and (100% vs 46.7%) respectively. Compared with the EG, eight cases (53.3%) in the CG had postoperative SCRC such as hemorrhage, effusion, and swollen. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: For TORS resected PPS tumors, transnasal PPS drainage is an effective and comfortable method to improve postoperative HGSI and HGSC and prevent SCRC.

Parapharyngeal Space Ganglioneuroma: Clinical Experience and Review of the Literature.

Ganglioneuroma is a rare benign tumor originating in the sympathetic ganglia, composed of differentiated ganglion cells, nerve sheath cells, and nerve fibers, which tend to occur in the posterior mediastinum, adrenal gland, retroperitoneal, and other locations, occurring in the head and neck is relatively rare, and parapharyngeal space involvement is extremely rare. In our report, we present 2 adult male patients whose preoperative imaging and fine needle cytology did not confirm the diagnosis of a parapharyngeal space mass and who completely resected the tumor through a combined cervical and oral approach. Finally, pathology confirmed ganglioneuroma; we also reviewed the English articles on parapharyngeal ganglioneuroma over the past 40 years, and summarized the diagnostic and treatment characteristics of parapharyngeal ganglioneuroma in combination with our cases to improve understanding of the disease.

Endoscopic transoral approach to the parapharyngeal space: technical nuances and preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical management is the mainstay of treatment for tumours in the parapharyngeal space. This study aimed to evaluate the indications, limits and technical nuances of the endoscopic transoral approach. METHOD: Thirteen patients with parapharyngeal space tumours that were treated between May 2017 and November 2020 were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery for complete oncological resection except one patient who received treatment for diagnostic purposes. No major complications were reported, with excellent control of the vital structures of the parapharyngeal space. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic transoral approach to the parapharyngeal space is a promising alternative approach for selected parapharyngeal space tumours with satisfactory outcomes.

Surgical approaches for pleomorphic adenoma of the parapharyngeal space.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse the outcomes of surgery for pleomorphic adenoma of the parapharyngeal space in relation to the surgical approach. METHOD: This was a single-centre retrospective data analysis conducted from January 2008 to December 2020 on all patients who underwent operation for pleomorphic adenoma originating from the parapharyngeal space. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with a mean age of 52.6 years were included. The transparotid-transcervical approach was the most common (52.4 per cent, n = 11) surgical approach, followed by transoral robotic surgery (28.6 per cent, n = 6) and conventional transoral surgery (19 per cent, n = 4). Post-operative complications included nine cases of transient partial facial nerve palsy and two cases of Frey's syndrome after the transparotid-transcervical approach and 2 cases of transient trismus and 1 pharyngeal wound dehiscence in the conventional transoral approach group. Complete macroscopic excision was always achieved, and no recurrence occurred during follow up. CONCLUSION: These three approaches can provide adequate tumour visualisation, a high rate of clear excisional margins and an acceptable morbidity.

Trends in the surgical management of parapharyngeal space tumors: A single-center retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Surgery remains the mainstay treatment for parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors. Given the rapid advance and increasing usage of endoscopic and robotic techniques, we aimed to investigate the surgical trends of PPS tumors in our institution and analyze their impact on patients' treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent surgical resection of PPS tumors from 2014 to 2021 at the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University were retrospectively reviewed. Student's t-test, Chi-square test, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to compare the surgical outcomes between groups. RESULT: Of the included 389 patients, the recipients of endoscopic surgery have largely increased in our center, with 17 of 134 cases (12.7%) in the group 2014-2017 and 187 of 255 cases (73.3%) in the group 2018-2021. The use of transoral and trans-nasal approaches increased in recent years (5.2% in 2014-2017 vs. 26.0% in 2018-2021), while that of trans-mandibular and lateral skull base approaches decreased (5.9% in 2014-2017 vs. 0.8% in 2018-2021). Decreased blood loss of operation and decreased risks of postoperative neurovascular complications were observed in the group 2018-2021. Similar findings were observed among patients receiving endoscopic surgery when compared with those receiving conventional surgery. CONCLUSION: In our institution, the overall trends in the surgical management of PPS tumors moved towards minimally invasive approaches with the assistance of endoscopy or surgical robots. The two surgical techniques were feasible and safe, and to a great extent, contributed to the improved surgical outcomes we observed in recent years.

Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery: 14 Cases of Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parapharyngeal Space.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study has been to describe our experience with pleomorphic adenomas of the parapharyngeal space (PPS) treated with trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS). Tumors arising from the PPS comprise less than 0.5% of all head and neck tumors. Salivary gland tumors account for 40% to 50% of PPS lesions with pleomorphic adenomas representing the most common salivary tumors (80%-90%). Parapharyngeal space tumors cause nonspecific symptoms and may be difficult to diagnose. METHODS: In our study a preoperative diagnosis was conducted by fine needle aspiration biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging and the results were used to plan the correct surgical approach. RESULTS: In all cases we were able to employ TORS, a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to operate in narrow and anatomically complex spaces that we can only reach thanks to the use of well-articulated hand pieces. CONCLUSIONS: This report indicates that TORS is a safe surgical procedure for the excision of benign tumors of the PPS in selected cases.

Management of parapharyngeal space cavernous sinus haemangioma using transoral robotic surgery.

Cavernous haemangiomas are a very rare occurrence in the parapharyngeal space (PPS). Here, we present a case of a 58-year-old woman with an incidentally identified left PPS mass thought to be a pleomorphic adenoma that underwent excision by transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Intraoperative findings demonstrated no solid mass present and histological assessment of resected tissue confirmed a cavernous haemangioma. We discuss our experience in the management of a radiological and surgical mismatch of a PPS mass in what we believe to be the first cavernous haemangioma to be excised by TORS in this region.

Quantitative Prediction of the Location of Carotid Bifurcation and Neurovascular Structures in the Carotid Region: A Cross-Sectional Cadaveric Study.

INTRODUCTION: The carotid region is encountered in vascular and neurological surgery and carries a potential for vascular and cranial nerve trauma. The carotid bifurcation is an especially important landmark and difficult to predict based on currently established landmarks. This study is a detailed analysis of the carotid region and proposes a novel methodology to predict the height of the bifurcation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Superficial and deep dissections were performed on the anterior triangle of the neck to expose the carotid region in twenty-one formalin-fixed donor cadavers. Musculoskeletal and neurovascular structures were assessed in relation to the carotid bifurcation and the medial border of the clavicle (MBC). RESULTS: The carotid bifurcation occurred, on average, 11.4 mm higher on the left (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 9.28, 13.54). The superior thyroid artery (p < 0.001), facial vein (p < 0.001), and cranial nerve XII (p < 0.001) were all more distal on the left side when measured from the MBC while the angle of the mandible and stylohyoid muscle remained symmetric. Left- and right-sided vascular structures were symmetric when measured from the carotid bifurcation. CONCLUSIONS: Neurovascular structures within the carotid region are likely to be anatomically superior on the left side while vessels are likely to remain symmetric in relation to the carotid bifurcation. When measured from the MBC, the bifurcation height can be predicted by multiplying the distance between the MBC and mastoid process by 0.65 (right side) or 0.74 (left side). This novel methodological estimation may be easily learned and directly implemented in clinical practice.

Endoscopically assisted transoral resection of a Bailey type IV second branchial cleft cyst: A case report.

RATIONALE: The diagnosis of type IV branchial cleft cyst (BCC) according to the Bailey classification is very challenging due to lack of specific clinical manifestations in the early stage of the disease. Here, we present the transoral surgical route of endoscopic resection of second BCC in the parapharyngeal space (PPS) with good outcomes. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 21-year-old man with a 1-year history of snoring complained about sore throat for 1 month and a fever that lasted for 3 days. DIAGNOSES: On admission, physical examination revealed a temperature of 39°C, pain when swallowing accompanied with a lump sensation in the throat, and inability to open mouth more than 3 cm. Blood testing revealed 19.29 × 109 white blood cells (WBCs)/L and 14.94 × 109 neutrophils/L. A cervical computed tomography (CT) examination revealed a mass with liquid density of 6.2 × 4.0 × 7.7 cm3 in the left parapharyngeal space (PPS) and pharyngeal cavity stenosis. Postoperative pathology showed the existence of lymphoepithelial cysts (left PPS), which was in accordance with the diagnosis of BCC. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was administered 1.5 g ceftazidime every 12 hours, anti-inflammatory drugs, and incision drainage was performed subsequently. Then, endoscopy-assisted resection of the left PPS was performed via the transoral route. We used low-temperature plasma and an 8-Fr Foley catheter with a water capsule during the surgery. OUTCOMES: After resection of the mass, the patient's blood results returned to within the normal range and his symptoms improved. Five days postoperatively, the incision made in the palatine arch of the pharynx opened up by 1 cm, and eventually the wound and laceration healed. Normal oral eating was restored, and no complications were observed. LESSONS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and color Doppler ultrasound can be useful to diagnose BCC in PPS, which rarely occurs in the clinical setting. Extended endoscopy provides a satisfactory surgical field for trans-oral resection allowing complete resection of the BCC without serious postoperative complications.

Endoscopy-Assisted Transoral Approach to Resect Parapharyngeal Space Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: By comparing the endoscopy-assisted transoral approach (EATA) with external approaches (EAs) for the resection of parapharyngeal space tumors (PPSTs), we determined whether the EATA has advantages in terms of operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative hospitalization, drainage volume, and complications. At the same time, we summarized the surgical indications for the EATA. METHODS: Systematic literature retrieval was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, and CQVIP databases up to February 2020. We calculated the mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous outcomes and pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI for dichotomous outcomes. The measured outcomes were operative time, bleeding volume, postoperative hospitalization, drainage volume, and complications. RESULTS: Seven studies involving 318 patients were eligible. Of these patients, 145 patients underwent EATA and 173 patients underwent EA surgery. All the former tumors were benign and located medial or anteromedial to the carotid sheath except for the unrecorded tumors. Compared with EAs, the EATA significantly shortened the operation time (MD = -5.56 min, 95% CI: -9.58 to -1.55), shrank the bleeding volume (MD = -89.02 ml, 95% CI: -126.16 to -51.88), shortened the postoperative hospitalization (MD = -2.44 days, 95% CI: -3.37 to -1.51), reduced the drainage volume (MD = -32.97 ml, 95% CI: -36.24 to -29.70), and lowered the incidence of complications (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.59). CONCLUSION: As for PPSTs, with an appropriate and precise patient selection, the EATA is a safe, effective, minimally invasive, and aesthetic surgical modality. Laryngoscope, 131:2246-2253, 2021.

Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Ventral-Medial Portion of Posterior Paramedian Skull Base: A Morphometric Perspective of Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide morphometric analysis of endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to the ventral-medial portion of posterior paramedian skull base. Furthermore, it aims to investigate the surgical exposure obtained through EEA with and without eustachian tube (ET) removal, emphasizing the role of contralateral nostril (CN) access. METHODS: Five fresh adult head specimens were prepared for dissection. A predissection and a postdissection computed tomography study was performed. A surgically oriented classification into 4 regions was used: 1) tubercular region; 2) occipital condyle region; 3) parapharyngeal space (PPhS) region; and 4) jugular foramen (JF) region. The Student t-test was used to compare angulations and measures of EEA with access from the ipsilateral and CN, respectively, with and without ET removal. RESULTS: EEA to the ventral-medial portion of posterior paramedian skull base encompasses 2 medial trajectories (transtubercular and transcondylar) and 2 lateral pathways to the PPhS and JF. The CN access, without removal of the ET, allows a complete exposure of the petrous and intrajugular portion of the JF and superior PPhS without exposition of the parapharyngeal segment of internal carotid artery. The ipsilateral nostril approach with ET removal allows to obtain a wider exposure, reaching the medial sigmoid part of the JF. No significant differences exist in regard to transtubercular and transcondylar approaches. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that EEA to posterior paramedian skull base allows the realization of a corridor directed to the jugular tubercle, occipital condyle, medial PPhS, and ventral-medial JF. The CN approach with ET preservation can expose the petrous and intrajugular parts of the JF and PPhS. Case series are needed to demonstrate benefits and drawbacks of these approaches.

A case of parapharyngeal space salivary duct cyst with fine needle biopsy suspicious for squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To report a unique case of salivary duct cyst presenting as parapharyngeal space mass and review relevant literature regarding salivary duct cyst and fine needle aspiration biopsy of salivary gland lesions. METHODS: After a case description, a review of the literature regarding salivary duct cyst etiology, pathophysiology, presentation, histologic features, and the accuracy of FNA in the context of salivary gland lesions was conducted. RESULTS: Salivary duct cysts are rare, often acquired, cystic dilatations of salivary ducts thought to arise secondary to ductal obstruction, commonly occurring in the major salivary glands. Fine needle aspiration is the biopsy method of choice for most head and neck lesions. There is controversy surrounding this method in salivary lesions, but recent data indicates it can be just as reliable as in other locations. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we highlight a patient with a salivary duct cyst presenting as a parapharyngeal mass, which has not been described in the literature. Overall, FNA in salivary lesions is highly pathologist dependent, which likely contributes to varying accuracy in the literature.

An Intravagal Parathyroid Adenoma in the Poststyloid Parapharyngeal Space.

OBJECTIVES: Describe a case of an intravagal parathyroid adenoma. CASE: A 35-year-old male presented with symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism and non-localizing imaging studies. Intraoperative venous sampling revealed a substantial gradient within the right internal jugular vein. Repeat imaging identified an enhancing lesion in the right parapharyngeal space at the skull base. An intravagal parathyroid adenoma was discovered intraoperatively. Microdissection of the adenoma out of the nerve allowed preservation of laryngeal function and an appropriate drop in ioPTH. CONCLUSIONS: Intraneural parathyroid adenomas are exceedingly rare. The clinical, radiologic, and histologic findings of an intravagal parathyroid adenoma in the post-styloid parapharyngeal space are described. Laryngoscope, 131:453-456, 2021.

Surgical anatomy and nuances of the expanded transpterygoid approach to the pterygopalatine fossa and upper parapharyngeal space: a stepwise cadaveric dissection.

BACKGROUND: Superb knowledge of anatomy and techniques to remove the natural barriers preventing full access to the most lateral aspect of the skull base determines the ease of using the transpterygoid approach (ETPA) as the main gateway for all the coronal planes during endonasal surgeries. METHODS: Throughout stepwise image-guided cadaveric dissections, we describe the surgical anatomy and nuances of the ETPA to the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and upper parapharyngeal space (UPPS). CONCLUSION: The ETPA represents a lateral extension of the midline corridor and provides a valuable route to access the PPF/UPPS. Major landmarks for this EEA are the infraorbital canal, sphenopalatine foramen, and vidian nerve. It comprises the removal of the palatine bone, posterior wall of the maxillary sinus, and PPF transposition to drill the pterygoid process.

Endoscopy-assisted transoral resection of a parapharyngeal space schwannoma without mandibular dissection.

Of the schwannomas that arise from the parapharyngeal space, those in the high cervical region are particularly invasive, requiring mandibular dissection. Because these tumors are benign, however, excessive surgical invasion and postoperative neurological complications should be avoided. Postoperative dropout symptoms may be avoided by intracapsular extraction, including nerve integrity monitoring (NIM) and narrow-band imaging (NBI). Video laryngoscopy surgery is reported to be useful for transoral resection of pharyngeal and laryngeal tumors. This report describes the transoral removal of a giant schwannoma located in the high cervical region from a 74-years-old man using a surgical support device without mandibular dissection. The tumor was located on the right lateral pharyngeal wall and extended from the upper oropharynx to the hypopharynx while compressing the epiglottis to the skull base. No separation was observed between the internal jugular vein and the internal carotid artery. The tumor was diagnosed as a schwannoma with no malignancy on the basis of the histology of a core needle biopsy (CNB), and was completely and safely removed endoscopically using NIM and NBI, with no need for an external incision or mandibular dissection. This case illustrates that even a huge sympathetic schwannoma located in the parapharyngeal space at a high cervical position can be excised transorally using video-laryngoscopic surgery (TOVS) without mandibular dissection.