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Parapharyngeal angiolipoma causing obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Isam Alobid1, Pedro Benítez, Juan Berenguer
1Rhinology Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain. 32874iao@comb.es
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|April 10, 2004
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) caused by a rare parapharyngeal angiolipoma is presented. Surgical removal of the benign neck mass resolved the patient's severe sleep apnoea.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Sleep Medicine
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common sleep disorder characterized by airway collapse during sleep.
- OSAS is rarely associated with neck masses, making such cases diagnostically challenging.
- Angiolipomas are rare, benign tumors composed of fat and vascular tissue, typically treated by surgical excision.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old male presented with severe snoring and documented OSAS (apnoea-hypopnoea index of 72/h).
- CT imaging revealed a large, fat-density mass in the left parapharyngeal space compressing the upper airway.
- The mass was surgically excised via a cervical transparotid approach.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of angiolipoma without any signs of malignancy.
- Post-operatively, the patient's snoring ceased, and he remained tumor-free during a 54-month follow-up period.
- This case represents the first documented instance of OSAS caused by a parapharyngeal angiolipoma.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare parapharyngeal masses in the differential diagnosis of severe OSAS.
- Surgical management of parapharyngeal angiolipomas can effectively resolve associated obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms linking parapharyngeal angiolipomas to OSAS development.