Abstract
Nodal metastases from head and neck primary cancer presenting as a parapharyngeal space mass are rare. This paper reports two cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the parapharyngeal space. This finding can be related to Rouviere's description of a direct lymphatic pathway from the posterior surface of the superior thyroid lobe to the lateral retropharyngeal nodes. Metastatic thyroid cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a parapharyngeal space mass.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology*
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Carcinoma, Papillary / surgery
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Contrast Media
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Gadolinium DTPA
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
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Humans
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
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Pharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
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Pharyngeal Neoplasms / secondary*
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Pharyngeal Neoplasms / surgery
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Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*
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Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery
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Ultrasonography
Substances
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Contrast Media
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Gadolinium DTPA