Adult parapharyngeal extracardiac rhabdomyoma

The case of a parapharyngeal adult extracardiac rhabdomyoma (ER) in a 69-year-old man is presented focusing on computed tomographic diagnosis, surgical approach, and pathologic diagnosis. Although a rare neoplasm, adult ER has a propensity for occurring in the head and neck. Systematic computed tomography evaluation with contrast serves to define the extent of the lesion and assist in the differential diagnosis of parapharyngeal masses. In this case, a transcervical extra-pharyngeal approach for excision was utilized with minimal associated morbidity and a rapid return of normal function. Careful pathologic diagnosis is required to distinguish ER from other neoplasms, especially granular cell myoblastoma.