Caught on camera: hairy polyp of the posterior tonsillar pillar

Abstract

AbstractBackground: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.