Myxomas of the head and neck

Purpose: Myxomas are rare, locally infiltrative, benign, connective tissue tumors that are found in bone and somatic soft tissues. This article report s our experience with head and neck myxomas and provides a comprehensive li terature review. Materials and Methods: Retrospective record review of head and neck myxoma cases seen at 2 tertiary referral centers in Houston, Texas, from 1970 to 1 994. Comprehensive literature review and compilation of all myxomas reporte d in the head and neck. Results: We identified 7 cases of true head and neck myxoma treated in our centers and identified 169 cases reported in the literature. Most often, my xomas originated in bone (mandible or maxilla) and were most commonly found in adults. All tumors except 1 were treated surgically. Recurrence rates w ere 6% for local or wide excision and 28% for more conservative surgery suc h as enucleation or curretage. Conclusions: Myxomas of the head and neck should be treated with complete e xcision of the tumor with clear margins. (Am J Otolaryngol 2000;21:184-189. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company).