Parapharyngeal space desmoplastic fibroblastoma: A report of a new location for this rare tumor

Dan Lu; Jun Liu; Hui Yang; Ying Ying Lin

Dan Lu Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Wu Hou, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Jun Liu Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Wu Hou, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Hui Yang Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Wu Hou, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Ying Ying Lin Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Wu Hou, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Keywords: Collagenous fibroma, Desmoplastic fibroblastoma, Parapharyngeal space, Surgical approach

Abstract

Desmoplastic fibroblastomas (DF) are rare, benign, soft tissue tumors affecting mainly the subcutaneous tissue or skeletal muscle at a variety of anatomical sites, but rarely occurred in parapharyngeal space. Herein, we describe an unusual case of 61‑year‑old man, who presented with a parapharyngeal space mass for 1‑month. The clinical examination revealed the right lateral pharyngeal wall bulging into pharynx, and mucosa was smooth. Computed tomography showed a heterogeneous tumor with a well‑defined margin, which involved the soft palate and extended to the pyriform, measuring approximately 3.5 cm × 2.5 cm × 1.0 cm, which was resected by transoral approach with tracheotomy. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry staining revealed a DF. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of DF arising in parapharyngeal space.