Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the parapharyngeal space in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the parapharyngeal space arising from cervical sympathetic chain: A rare entity

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) of parapharyngeal space are rare and if present are most often in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). Only a few cases of MPNST have been reported in the literature without coexisting NF. We report one such case of an MPNST of parapharyngeal space tumor in a 35-year-old female with no associated features of NF-1. She presented with right-sided neck swelling and ptosis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 7 cm × 8 cm × 11 cm irregular swelling in the right parapharyngeal space with invasion of surrounding muscles. The mass was excised using a transcervical approach. Postoperative histopathological examination of the specimen revealed MPNST possibly arising from the cervical sympathetic chain.

Low-grade malignant triton tumor of the neck: a case report and review of the literature

Rhabdomyoblastic differentiation in a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is termed malignant triton tumor (MTT), a rare neoplasm that poses a diagnostic dilemma in the differential diagnosis of neck masses and portends poor prognosis. We report a sporadic case of MTT of the neck in a 23-year-old female. We present the pathological findings. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the neurogenic origin with S-100 expression and the rhabdomyoblastic differentiation with desmin and vimentin positivity. Radical surgical excision was done. After 4 years there were no signs of recurrence or distant metastasis. The clinical, microscopic, and long-term follow-up of this case are consistent with those of a low-grade malignancy.