A massive retropharyngeal lipoma

Retropharyngeal masses are benign or malignant. Because of their location, even the most benign lesion may endanger life by compressing and obstructing the air and/or food passages. Lipomas of the retropharyngeal region are rare; slow-growing tumors that attain a large size before producing symptoms such as dysphagia and dyspnoea. Clinical diagnosis may be difficult. However, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is the investigation of choice and helps in definitive diagnosis pre-operatively, although final histological confirmation is essential. We present the case of a giant lipoma of the retropharyngeal space extending from the nasopharynx to the superior mediastinum causing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. The tumor removed surgically and the patient passed an uneventful post-operative period.