Hamartoma of the Vallecula in a Five-Month-Old Infant- A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Hamartomas is a neoplasms composed of mature tissue elements from the affected site with disproportion between their components. Although lingual hamartomas are traditionally infrequent in the head and neck, a significant number of case reports with this disorder in infancy are arising from the literature.

Case report: We present a remarkable case of a vallecular hamartoma in a 5-month-old infant. Moreover, the value of histopathological diagnosis was highlighted regarding the differentiation between hamartomas and other benign/reactive lesions.

Conclusion: Surgical excision is regarded as the treatment of choice for vallecular hamartomas; in addition, no recurrence has been reported after complete resection.

Keywords: Hamartoma; Infancy; Pharyngeal Neoplasm.

Fig 1

Sequence of microlaryngoscopic resection of the lesion. Endoscopic transoral excision of the lesion was performed through cold dissection plus electrocautery

Fig 2

Histologic findings revealing a tumor with a mucous lining of normal characteristics (A), with abundant minor salivary glands, fat, and smooth muscle fibers distributed chaotically (B).