[Clinical characters, diagnosis and treatment of parapharyngeal region neoplasms: a report of 115 cases].

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characters, diagnosis and treatment of primary neoplasms in the parapharyngeal regions.

Methods: A total of 115 cases of primary neoplasms in the parapharyngeal regions were included in this study.

Results: Disorders of swallowing, breath or speaking were the common symptoms of neoplasms in parapharyngeal regions. The majority of neoplasms parapharyngeal regions were benign. 46 cases were from the deep lobe of the parotid, and 42 cases were neurogenic. CT or MRI provides useful information such as their sizes, shapes and extents. The relationship between the tumor and vessel was shown using super-selective angiography. All the tumors were resected completely by extra-oral approach through the posteroinferior incision of the mandible. The follow-up was carried out from 1 to 10 years, and the data indicated that 2 patients died, 18 cases were lost, and others had no recurrence.

Conclusion: CT and/or MRI are essentially useful for diagnosis and presurgical planning. Super-selective angiography can be used if the lesions involved carotid artery. Posteroinferior incision of the mandible is a simple, effective and safe approach for excision of neoplasms parapharyngeal regions.