Myoepithelial carcinoma of the vallecula: A case report and review of the literature.

Myoepithelial carcinoma (MEC) of the vallecula is relatively rare, and there is no specific surgical guideline for resecting MEC in the vallecula. To the best of our knowledge, the current study reports the first case of MEC involving the vallecula of a 48-year-old female patient. In the present study, the lesion was correctly diagnosed as MEC and successfully managed using lateral pharyngotomy and by the construction of a sternohyoid myofascial flap. The patient was free of local recurrence or metastasis 18 months after surgery. The present study briefly reviews the current knowledge concerning the diagnosis and treatment of MECs in the head and neck area and offers suggestions for managing MEC in the vallecula. To conclude, MEC of the vallecula may be successfully managed by surgical treatment without evident post-surgery complications.