A thyroid tumor extending to the parapharyngeal space

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma to the parapharyngeal space is a rare clinical presentation.
• Parapharyngeal masses with cystic features on imaging necessitate ruling out thyroid malignancy as a differential diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an extremely rare case of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasizing to the parapharyngeal space.
• To discuss the management of this rare presentation through a literature review.

Main Methods:

• A case of a 22-year-old woman with a two-year history of neck mass, dysphagia, and hoarseness.
• Radiologic and pathological examinations confirmed the thyroid origin of the parapharyngeal mass.
• Surgical removal via trans-cervical approach with total thyroidectomy.

Main Results:

• The tumor originated from the superior pole of the right thyroid gland.
• The mass extended along the neurovascular bundle into the parapharyngeal space.
• Histopathological examination confirmed the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Conclusions:

• The follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting in the parapharyngeal space is exceptionally rare.
• This case underscores the need for a comprehensive differential diagnosis for parapharyngeal masses.
• Surgical management combined with literature review provides insights into handling such rare oncological cases.