Hairy polyp of the oropharynx: an unusual cause of intermittent neonatal airway obstruction

Abstract

Oropharyngeal hairy polyps are rare benign congenital tumours that usually present at birth or shortly afterwards with acute upper airway obstruction or feeding difficulties. We describe a case of intermittent airway obstruction in a neonate caused by a mobile hairy polyp of the tonsil. This rare benign lesion proved difficult to diagnose because of its tendency to prolapse into the nasopharynx.