Spindle cell lipoma of the parapharyngeal space: first report of a case

Spindle cell lipomas are usually located in the subcutaneous tissue of the back, shoulders, and neck. To our knowledge, the presence of such a tumor in the parapharyngeal space has not yet been described. We evaluated a 45-year-old man with a tender swelling of the right parotid area that had reached the submandibular area. Clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of a tumor that coated the parotid area laterally and extended into the center of the parapharyngeal space, thus causing a dislocation of the pharyngeal muscles and mucosa. We performed a total parotidectomy and submandibulectomy on the right side and extirpated the parapharyngeal tumor. We were able to spare the facial nerve, and no facial paralysis occurred. Histologic examination revealed an atypical lipomatous tumor with a remarkably large portion of spindles.