Parapharyngeal tumor presenting as acute airway obstruction.

Tumors of the parapharyngeal space account for 0.5% of head and neck neoplasms. The parapharyngeal space is actually a potential space located lateral to the upper pharvnx. This bilateral fat containing region extends from the skull base to the hyoid bone. The parapharyngeal space is further compartmentalized by thick fascial layers that direct tumor growth. Among the salivary gland neoplasms, pleomorphic adenoma is the most common parapharyngeal space tumor. This tumor generally originates from the deep lobe of the parotid gland but can also occur from extraparotid salivary tissue. Bond reported the first documented case of a mixed tumor involving the parapharyngeal space. Approximately 10% of all parotid neoplasms are thought to originate from the deep parotid lobe. Of these tumors, only a small percentage. (less than 1%). extend into the parapharyngeal space. We present the first recorded case of a parapharyngeal pleomorphic adenoma presenting as acute airway obstruction requiring t racheostomv.