A huge retropharyngeal lipoma: a rare cause of dysphagia: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Dysphagia is commonly seen after a cerebral vascular accident. It is rarely caused by lipomas of the retropharyngeal region which are rare benign mesenchymal neoplasms. We report a case of a 53-year-old man who presented with a history of ptyalism and dysphagia occurring after a brain stroke. Flexible nasal endoscopy revealed a pooling of saliva in both pyriform sinuses. Cervical and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Computed tomography (CT) scan suggested the diagnosis of retropharyngeal lipoma. The mass was resected by trans-cervical approach. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a retropharyngeal lipoma. The postoperative course was unremarkable. Although lipomas in the retropharyngeal space are rare, clinicians should evoke this diagnosis when treating a patient presenting with dysphagia, even if there is a medical history of cerebral vascular accident.