An unusually large cavernous hemangioma of retropharyngeal space: a rare case

Hemangiomas rarely occur in the retropharyngeal space with only several cases reported in the current literature. This article reports the hemangiomas of retropharyngeal space. A 55-year-old woman was referred to our institution for dysphagia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck and spine revealed a large, well-circumscribed, dense mass that extended from the retropharyngeal space to the sides of the neck. Patient underwent direct excision of the lesion. Complete regression of symptoms was observed after surgery, with no lesions found on routine 24-month follow-up. Although hemangiomas are relatively common in the head and neck, those that originate in the retropharyngeal space are very rarely observed. These benign tumors have the potential to compress adjacent tissues or organs and thereby produce associated symptoms like dysphagia and dyspnea. We present the reported case of larger hemangiomas of the retropharyngeal space and detail their management.