SURGICAL APPROACH TO THE MASTICATORY SPACE: WIDE EXCISION FOR AN HEMANGIOPERICYTOMA

Background. A hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon benign vascular tumor. There are few reports of hemangiopericytoma growed into the pterigoid space . As a rule , their treatment is surgical, and the surgical approach to the masticator space depends on the size and extension of any neoplasm developing in this space. Methods. We describe a case of a 70-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of progressive pain in the left temporomandibular joint region. Pre operative imaging study, showed lobular mass arising from the left masticator space involving the pterygoid and masseter muscles and expanding under the zygomatic arch into the left infratemporal and temporal fossae . Results The tumor was removed through a combined transmandibular and hemicoronal approaches To excise the hemangiopericytoma, we used a coronal approach together with Attenborough’s osteotomy of the zygoma Conclusion .We describe this combined approach which we felt appropriate for removal of a deep tumor into the masticator space, and discuss other possible surgical option to expose this space.