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Caught on camera: hairy polyp of the posterior tonsillar pillar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 February 2013

S Seng ,
S M Kieran ,
S O Vargas  and
T J Mcgill
S Seng*
Affiliation:
Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, UK
S M Kieran
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital Boston, USA
S O Vargas
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital Boston, USA
T J Mcgill
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital Boston, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Mr S Seng, Imperial College School of Medicine, Reynolds Building, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Rd, London W6 8RF, UK E-mail: steven.seng@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Background:

Hairy polyps are rare congenital growths of the head and neck, mainly found in the nasopharynx and oropharynx. They are made up of two germ cell layers: the ectoderm and mesoderm.

Methods:

This paper reports a four-month-old who presented with breathing and feeding difficulties. Clinical examination was unremarkable, but a video taken by the patient's mother on her smartphone showed a mass protruding from the infant's mouth. Laryngoscopy performed in the operating theatre showed that the mass emanated from the left posterior tonsillar pillar.

Results:

The mass was removed transorally with no complications. Pathological examination showed a skin-covered pedunculated structure characteristic of a hairy polyp. The patient's follow up was unremarkable.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the second English-language case report of a patient with a hairy polyp emanating from a posterior tonsillar pillar. This paper also highlights the growing usage of smartphones by patients to help physicians with their diagnosis and management.

Keywords

InfantPolypsOropharynxDiagnosisPhotography
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 5 , May 2013 , pp. 528 - 530
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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