Ganglioneuroma of parapharyngeal region

In this article, we describe a case of ganglioneuroma observed in a 27-year -old woman. The tumor was found in an unusual location, the parapharyngeal space. The lesion was asymptomatic and was surgically excised after a fine- needle aspiration biopsy that was considered inadequate. The lesion measure d 4 x 3 cm and was capsulated. Two distinct cells groups were identified: g anglion cells and Schwann cells placed in a loose myxoid stroma. Immunohist ochemical stains (performed with the following monoclonal antibodies: high- molecular-weight cytokeratins, vimentin, neuron-specific enolase, neurofila ments, and S100) confirmed the diagnosis of ganglioneuroma. The pathologic findings and a review of recent literature are discussed.