This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
The space underneath the center part of the base of the skull has been neglected from a diagnostic as well as from a therapeutic view. This hidden area is located behind the maxillary bones and the pharynx where a growing neoplasm might be silent for a very long time. The soft tissue content of the area consists of the para- and retropharyngial spaces and is termed, by the author, "retromaxillary space." Because of the rich content of nerves, blood vessels, and muscles the area has not been approached surgically, and interventions were restricted to the draining of abscesses. During the past 15 years, with the aid of tomography, angiography, and the experience gained through plastic surgery this area can be more easily exposed.
These trends and results are presented in this 50 page volume with numerous sketches, photographs, and rontgenograms.