Palatal Presentation of Para-Pharyngeal Mass

Para-pharyngeal space tumors showed a varied presentation and through a great challenge to the surgeon in respect to pre-operative evaluation as well as surgical approach. Para-pharyngeal space (PPS) is an inverted cone-shaped potential space that extends from the hyoid bone to the base of the skull.It is filled with fat and areolar tissue lie laterally on either sides of pharynx; and is bounded and subdivided by various condensations of fascia1 . Tumors, although rare less than1% of head neck neoplasm can arise from any structures of this space. Mostly they are benign70-80% and 20-30% are malignant. Salivary gland tumor, particularly deep lobe parotid constitutesmore than 80%2,3. Imaging studies are invaluable to define the site of origin, extension, relationship to the great vessels of the neck and other neurovascular structures4 . Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. Several approaches have been discussed in the text books. We present a case of a huge parapharyngeal space tumor that was excised completely through trans-cervical approach without any morbidly