Hairy polyp of the pharynx obscured on physical examination by endotracheal tube, but diagnosed on brain imaging

Cameron L Budenz; Marci M Lesperance; Stephen Gebarski

doi:10.1007/s00247-005-1500-0

Hairy polyp of the pharynx obscured on physical examination by endotracheal tube, but diagnosed on brain imaging

Pediatr Radiol. 2005 Nov;35(11):1107-9. doi: 10.1007/s00247-005-1500-0. Epub 2005 Jun 4.

Authors

Cameron L Budenz¹, Marci M Lesperance, Stephen Gebarski

Affiliation

¹ Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0030, USA.

PMID: 15937700
DOI: 10.1007/s00247-005-1500-0

Abstract

We report a case of hairy polyp of the pharynx diagnosed on brain MRI in order to stress the need to examine carefully all tissues included on an imaging study, even those outside the clinically stated region of interest, and to remind practitioners to consider unusual as well as common etiologies for neonatal respiratory distress. Our case is unique in that thorough examination of a brain MRI, ordered in the evaluation of presumed central apnea, led to the correct diagnosis.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Brain / pathology*
Female
Humans
Incidental Findings
Infant, Newborn
Intubation, Intratracheal / instrumentation
Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Pharyngeal Diseases / complications
Pharyngeal Diseases / pathology*
Physical Examination*
Polyps / complications
Polyps / pathology*
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / diagnosis*
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / etiology
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / rehabilitation*