Parapharyngeal Space Angiofibroma: A Diagnostic Surprise

Angiofibromas classically develop in the lateral wall of the nasopharynx from the sphenopalatine region. Extra-nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are rare entities, with the maxillary sinus being the most common site. Parapharyngeal angiofibroma is an extremely rare entity, being seldom reported in English literature.

We present a case of parapharyngeal angiofibroma, which came as a diagnostic surprise in a young adult 25-year-old male. The radiological picture showed a highly vascular lesion, which did draw our attention for not going for a direct or guided FNAC, and upfront excision was planned through the transcervical route. A firm 5 * 7 cm mass was excised and sent for histopathologic examination. The histopathology showed angiofibroma like features as a diagnostic surprise as angiofibroma of parapharyngeal space is a known but rare entity.

The knowledge of angiofibroma as a differential in parapharyngeal space will help the clinicians to properly deal with these disorders during preoperative evaluation and definitive surgery and thus prevent the chances of vascular injuries and complications associated with an FNAC. A high level of suspicion regarding this differential as a possible lesion in the parapharynx is required for the entity's diagnosis.