[Clinical study of parapharyngeal space tumors]

We clinically studied 31 cases of parapharyngeal space tumor treated between 1988 and 2002, and compared histological findings and preoperative diagnosis. Pleomorphic adenoma was the predominant tumor, accounting for 35.5%. Schwannoma and paraganglioma were next at 26.6%. In determining pathological diagnosis, fine needle biopsy and imaging were useful. Important factors in imaging diagnosis are inspecting the degree of enhancement in CT or MRI, investigating the existence of flow void on MRI, and discriminating whether the origin is pre- or post-styloid.