Unusual Presentation of Second Branchial Cleft Cyst: Case Reports and Literature Review / 대한이비인후과학회지

Second branchial cleft cysts are the most common neck masses found in adults. However, the parapharyngeal presence of branchial cleft cyst is very rare. We report three cases of parapharyngeal branchial cleft cyst in adults. They suffered from frequent oropharyngeal infection or abscess. We performed a transoral resection without any surgical complications. Biopsy revealed a squamous lined epithelial wall with lymphoid aggregation, which is characteristic of branchial cleft cyst. No evidence of recurrence was observed in 2 years.

Extranodal Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma with Rapid Growth in Parapharynx: A Case Report

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare malignancy arising from the antigen-presenting cells in the lymph node and extranodal tissue. We describe a 31-year-old male patient who presented with a swelling of the left parapharynx. The radiologic findings showed a 4.7x4.5x1.9 cm-sized, ill-defined mass in the left parapharyngeal space. A fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed and it showed scattered, irregular, cohesive clusters of tumor cells with a spindle-to-ovoid shape with irregular contours in a background of lymphocytes. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of spindle cell neoplasm was made. The surgically resected tumor was composed of elongated, ovoid or polygonal cells showing positive immunohistochemistry for CD21, CD23, and CD35. Postoperatively, the residual tumor was observed to undergo a rapidly growth. There is an overlap in the cytologic and histologic findings between FDCS of the parapharynx and other tumors. Pathologists should therefore be aware of its characteristics not only to provide an accurate diagnosis but also to recommend the appropriate clinical management.

Extranodal Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma with Rapid Growth in Parapharynx: A Case Report

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare malignancy arising from the antigen-presenting cells in the lymph node and extranodal tissue. We describe a 31-year-old male patient who presented with a swelling of the left parapharynx. The radiologic findings showed a 4.7x4.5x1.9 cm-sized, ill-defined mass in the left parapharyngeal space. A fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed and it showed scattered, irregular, cohesive clusters of tumor cells with a spindle-to-ovoid shape with irregular contours in a background of lymphocytes. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of spindle cell neoplasm was made. The surgically resected tumor was composed of elongated, ovoid or polygonal cells showing positive immunohistochemistry for CD21, CD23, and CD35. Postoperatively, the residual tumor was observed to undergo a rapidly growth. There is an overlap in the cytologic and histologic findings between FDCS of the parapharynx and other tumors. Pathologists should therefore be aware of its characteristics not only to provide an accurate diagnosis but also to recommend the appropriate clinical management.

A Case of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in Parapharyngeal Space / 대한이비인후과학회지

The malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is an extremely rare soft tissue sarcoma. It is a highly malignant sarcoma, which is locally invasive, frequently leading to multiple recurrences and eventual metastatic spread. The peak incidence of disease is known to occur sporadically between the age of 20s and 50s, and is usually associated with the neurofibromatosis type I. In human body, the trunk and extremities are the most commonly involved sites, with only 8-14% of all lesions appearing in the head and neck region. We present a case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor involving the right parapharynx in a 48-year-old patient who complained of headaches in the right parietal area and of dysphagia that aggravated over a month. After surgery, tumor was finally diagnosed as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor by histopathologic examinations. The authors report a case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in the right parapharynx with a review of the literature.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Parapharyngeal Ganglioneuroma: A Case Report / 대한세포병리학회지

Ganglioneuromas are a fully differentiated tumor that contains no immature elements. The majority of ganglioneuromas are diagnosed in patients older than 10 years and are most often located in the posterior mediastinum, followed by the retroperitoneum. The location of these tumors in the parapharyngeal region is extremely uncommon and there are only a few reports on the cytologic appearance of the tumor. We report a case of ganglioneuroma presenting in a parapharyngeal location in a 4 year-old boy, diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology. The smears revealed scattered large oval to polygonal cells with voluminous, granular cytoplasms. The nuclei were one to two in number and had a prominent nucleolus. Clusters of benign spindie-shaped cells were also present.