Parapharyngeal Space Metastasis from Occult Thyroid Carcinoma-a case report

INTRODUCTION -Parapharyngeal space metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is very rare. Only very few cases have been recorded in review of literature. An occult thyroid carcinoma with parapharyngeal space metastasis may faade as a paraganglioma or a salivary gland tumour which requires a meticulous evaluation of the patient to arrive at the diagnosis. CASE REPORT -A 65 year old lady presented with neck swelling and complaints of difficulty in swallowing, following which radiological and cytological evaluation was done and diagnosed as an occult papillary carcinoma of thyroid with parapharyngeal space metastasis. She was treated surgically by total thyroidectomy with modified radical neck node dissection and excision of the parapharyngeal mass. CONCLUSION - Ergo secondary parapharygeal node metastasis from occult thyroid malignancy should also be considered and diagnosed promptly with aid of radiological and cytological evidences.