Rasa Martinkienė, Eglė Gradauskienė, Violeta Vaivockaitė
Abstract
Congenital nasopharyngeal masses are rare anomalies in children. Hairy polyps or dermoids represents the most primitive form of teratoma arising from two germinal layers, the ectoderm and mesoderm. Hairy polyps are rare benign lesions with limited growth, occur predominantly in females. They are the most common congenital tumour in the nasopharynx. Hairy polyps are unusual etiology of respiratory distress and feeding difficulty in newborns and infants. A case of hairy polyp in infant is reported for its rarity. Method: Case report and world literature concerning nasopharyngeal hairy polyp in children. Results: We report a case of hairy polyp of the nasopharynx in 3 month-old girl. A previously healthy infant was admitted to hospital with a 1-day history of fever, runny nose, cough, breathing and swallowing difficulties. On ENT examination she was in a mild respiratory distress. A round from nasopharynx, without intracranial involment. A mass was surgically removed under general anaesthesia. Histopathology of the excised mass revealed it as a hairy polyp. Conclusions: The incidence of hairy polyps in nasopharynx is low, but they are most common congenital nasopharyngeal mass. All neonates and infants with suspected upper airway obstruction should be investigated for a nasopharyngeal mass. Radiological studies must be performed before surgical excision to evaluate the extent and origin of the tumour. Complete excision of hairy polyp should be the goal to avoid the recurrence.
Keyword(s): Hairy polyp; nasopharynx; infants
DOI: 10.5200/389
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