Obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring - is examination necessary?

This article outlines two cases of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) secondary to parapharyngeal space tumours. Both patients were referred to a specialist sleep clinic where oropharyngeal masses were seen and biopsied. Both underwent surgery and this was curative of both their snoring and their OSA. Parapharyngeal space tumours are an extremely rare cause of OSA and snoring. However, all patients with OSA and snoring should have a full head and neck examination before referral; in rare cases this could enable early detection of a parapharyngeal space tumour.