GIANT-CELL TUMOR OF THE RETROPHARYNX

Aims: Giant cell tumours of soft tissues are usually of tenosynovial o rigin and are benign, slow growing neoplasms that have the capacity fo r local recurrence. They occur most frequently in the fingers and only rarely in the head and neck region. Their occurrence in the retrophar ynx has not been reported. The differential diagnoses of head and neck lesions containing giant cells are discussed. Methods and results: We describe a case of a retropharyngeal giant cell tumour of tenosynovia l type in a 48-year-old man. The clinical, radiological and histologic al features are reviewed, Immunohistochemical studies point to a possi ble histiocytic origin based on reactivity for CD68. Conclusions: Teno synovial giant cell tumour should be considered in the differential di agnosis of tumours arising in the retropharyngeal soft tissues.