This solid mass lies in the deep parotid lobe and at surgery was a pleomorphic adenoma.

Lesions in the deep parotid lobe may mimic mass lesions arising in the parapharyngeal space such as a minor salivary  gland tumor.

Widening of the stylomandibular space is seen in parotid masses, not seen in primary pathology of the parapharyngeal space. The parapharyngeal space is displaced medially by this mass, again favoring a lesion arising in the parotid.