Cystic myoepithelioma of parapharyngeal space: A rare case report

Abstract

Myoepitheliomas are generally encapsulated, slowly-growing, asymptotic, solid masses in which more than 50% are seen in the parotid gland. Cystic myoepitheliomas are very rare. We present the case of a 30-year-old man with a cystic mass in the right parapharyngeal space who had undergone wide local excision. In gross examination, a cystic mass was observed. Microscopically, tumors consisted of cells with varied morphology, like round to epithelioid, spindly, plasmacytoid, and clear cells arranged in solid, reticular, and small groups in a hyalinized stroma. Cells show mild to moderate nucleomegaly and atypia. Immunohistochemically, cells were immunoreactive to cytokeratin, S100, smooth muscle actin (focally), P40, and the low ki67 index (1%). We are presenting this case as it is a rare entity, and a very small number of cases have been reported in the literature. It is a rare parapharyngeal tumor presented with a very good and unremarkable post-operative course.