Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the parapharyngeal space: a case report

Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma is a malignant tumour most often found in children and adolescents, but rarely in the cervicofacial region. When it affects the parapharyngeal space, diagnosis is often delayed, resulting in poor prognosis. We here report the clinical case of a 37-year-old female patient admitted to the emergency department with inspiratory dyspnea, asthenia and anorexia. Cervical spine MRI revealed a process in the right parapharyngeal space obstructing almost the entire pharyngeal lumen. Anatomopathological, immunohistochemical and cytogenetic examinations showed extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma. The metastatic workup was negative. The patient received chemotherapy. Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the parapharyngeal space is extremely rare: only four cases have been reported in the literature. Nonetheless, clinical and paraclinical characteristics are similar. It is a neoplasm that must be recognized for early diagnosis to improve prognosis and management.