Published online Feb 16, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i5.1204
Peer-review started: November 7, 2020
First decision: November 20, 2020
Revised: December 3, 2020
Accepted: December 26, 2020
Article in press: December 26, 2020
Published online: February 16, 2021
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.
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.
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 long-term follow-up is required.
Core Tip: Parapharyngeal space solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is quite rare. In this case study, a dumbbell-shaped SFT in the parapharyngeal space in a male patient is reported. The tumor was completely excised under general anesthesia, and postoperative recovery was uneventful. The diagnosis, pathology and treatment methods of SFTs are discussed in this report.