[Parapharyngeal involvement in neoformation of the deep parotid lobe]

The parapharyngeal space can be often interested by the extension of neoplasms starting at the deep lobe of the parotid gland level. According to many international authors, usually benign neoplasm originating at the parotid gland, tend to grow in the above mentioned area, while malignant tumors invade more easily the infratemporal fossa. Several diagnostic methods and ways of approaching the benign tumors of the parapharyngeal space have been proposed over the years. Personal experience at the Maxillo-Facial Department of the University of Rome "La Sapienza" and a typical clinical case for the diagnostic approach and surgical technique used by the authors, is described.