What is Parapharyngeal tumor?

Tumors of the parapharyngeal space (PPS), a potential space lateral to the upper pharynx, are uncommon, making up less than 1% of all head and neck neoplasms. Both benign and malignant tumors may arise from any of the structures contained in this space. Of PPS tumors, 70-80% are benign, and 20-30% are malignant.

What is Parapharyngeal schwannoma?

The vestibular nerve is involved in most cases followed by the parapharyngeal space. Schwannoma, also known as neurilemmoma, is a benign neoplasm that originates from the Schwann cells. These cells form the myelin sheath around myelinated peripheral axons.

What is the stylomandibular tunnel?

Stylomandibular tunnel is the space between the mandible and the styloid process. Stylomandibular tunnel widening is primarily from deep lobe parotid lesions. • Narrowing can be from adenopathy, schwannomas, and paragangliomas.

Where is parapharyngeal space?

The parapharyngeal space (or lateral pharyngeal or pharyngomaxillary space) is in the upper neck above the hyoid bone. It is an inverted cone-shaped potential space that extends from the hyoid bone to the base of the skull.

What causes parapharyngeal abscess?

Usually, parapharyngeal abscesses arise secondary to oropharyngeal infections that spread either by direct continuity or by lymphatic drainage: acute and chronic tonsillitis. bursting of peritonsillar abscess. dental infection usually comes from the lower last molar tooth.

What is parotid space?

The parotid space is one of the deep compartments of the head and neck and, as the name suggests, is mostly filled with the parotid gland. It is the most lateral major suprahyoid neck space.

Are schwannomas painful?

Schwannomas usually don’t produce symptoms until they become large enough to put pressure on the nerves around them. You may feel occasional pain in the area that’s controlled by the affected nerve. Some other common systems include: a visible lump under the skin.

Where is the Stylomandibular ligament?

The stylomandibular ligament is a thickened band of cervical fascia that extends from the styloid process to the posterior border of the ramus of the mandible, medially to the angle of the mandible. The stylomandibular ligament is responsible for limiting the opening and protrusion movements of the jaw.

What does the styloid process do?

The styloid process of the temporal bone is a slender osseous projection that points anteroinferiorly from the inferior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone. It serves as an anchor point for several muscles associated with the tongue and larynx: styloglossus muscle.

What is in parapharyngeal space?

The parapharyngeal space can be subdivided into compartments by a line extending from the medial aspect of the medial pterygoid plate to the styloid process. The internal maxillary artery, inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve, and auriculotemporal nerve comprise the anterior (ie, prestyloid) compartment.

What divides the parapharyngeal space?

Divisions. The parapharyngeal space is divided into 2 parts by the fascial condensation called the aponeurosis of Zuckerkandl and Testut (stylopharyngeal fascia – see diagram), joining the styloid process to the tensor veli palatini.

How is a parapharyngeal abscess treated?

Treatment and prognosis When a parapharyngeal abscess is detected, treatment should commence immediately. It can usually be treated with broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotics and surgical drainage. Occasionally, small abscesses can be treated with IV antibiotics alone 1.