Our experiences with parapharyngeal space tumors and systematic review of the literature

To find out the geographical distribution, age, sex, mode of presentation, diagnostic modalities, surgical approaches, postoperative complications, follow-up and histopathology of parapharyngeal space tumors (PFT) through world wide web search (WWWS) and PFT of our series. A retrospective study of all PFT seen and treated in S.R.N Hospital, Allahabad between 1990 and 2006 was done. A systematic review of the literature was done through WWWS. PFT were commonest in the Asian zone. Incidence was highest in the 3rd and 4th decade. Oropharyngeal (100%) and cervical (91.6%) swelling were the commonest presentation. MRI is better than CT scan in evaluating fat plane. Transcervical approach was the commonest. In our series, benign tumors (83.4%) were common, constituting 50% of neurogenic and 16.6% of salivary gland origin. PFT were more prevalent in the Asian zone. Neurogenic tumors were commonest in our study which contradicts the WWWS of having maximum PFT of salivary gland in origin.