Autoamputation of a pharyngeal hairy polyp in a neonate with intermittent respiratory distress

Summary 

Hairy polyps are rare congenital benign tumours usually present as a pedunculated mass in the oronasopharynx. We describe a case with a hairy polyp originating from the lateral pharyngeal wall of a neonate, causing intermittent respiratory failure. Symptoms in the neonate disappeared following autoamputation of the mass. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathologic findings were also described. To our knowledge, this is the second case described, with full recovery following autoamputation of a hairy polyp.

Keywords: Hairy polyp, Autoamputation, Respiratory distress, Neonate