Parapharyngeal lipoma causing airway obstruction - case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.3065Keywords:
Upper airway obstruction, Parapharyngeal space, Parapharyngeal space tumors, head and neck tumors, lipomaAbstract
Parapharyngeal lipomas are rare benign tumors, accounting for less than 0.5% of all parapharyngeal space neoplasms. Its proximity to critical anatomical structures requires careful diagnostic evaluation and surgical management. We report a clinical case of a 69-year-old woman presenting to our hospital with progressive dysphagia, snoring and shortness of breath. Clinical examination and imaging studies revealed a parapharyngeal lipoma, which was successfully removed surgically. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination, and the patient recovered without complications or recurrence of the symptoms. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate surgical management for the treatment of lipomas in this rare location.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Joana Ida Dias, Sara Raquel Azevedo, Ana Isabel Pereira, Ana Silva, Rita Carvalho, Luís Meireles, Telma Feliciano
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