Synovial sarcoma, a malignant soft tissue tumor that primarily occurs in the extremities, is rarely seen in the head and neck. Owing to the anatomical complexity of the head and neck region, a deep seated synovial sarcoma in the parapharyngeal space presents the clinician with something of a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In September 2000, a 19-year-old girl presented with an enlarging tumor in the left side of her neck that had grown progressively over the preceding six months. A tumor biopsy performed at another hospital had led to a diagnosis of fibrosarcoma, at which point the patient was referred to our hospital. The tumor was successfully removed via a paramedian mandibular osteotomy. A revised pathological diagnosis of synovial sarcoma was then made. The patient received three courses of chemotherapy with Ifosfamide and Etoposide. Her postoperative course was uneventful and over one-year’s follow-up, no evidence of recurrence or metastasis was found. The poor prognosis for patients with this disease makes aggressive treatment and long-term follow-up important.