The retropharyngeal space: route of tumour spread

The retropharyngeal space is a potential route for the spread of infection and malignancy. We present patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and tongue with superior contiguous spread along the retropharyngeal space resulting in skull base erosion. The fascia defining the retropharyngeal space is attached to the skull base and pathological processes can extend superiorly to destroy the skull base.