Hairy polyp of the tongue: a case report

Seyda Erdogan1, Nurdan Tunali, Tuba Canpolat

  • 1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Turkey. seydaer@yahoo.com

Insights

This study details a rare case of a hairy polyp, a benign tumor with ectodermal and mesodermal tissues, found on the tongue of an infant. It covers the lesion

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology and Pathology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Hairy polyps, also known as dermoids, are rare benign tumors originating from ectodermal and mesodermal tissues.
  • These lesions are typically found in the oro- and nasopharynx, presenting unique diagnostic challenges due to their infrequent occurrence.

Observation:

  • A case report of a hairy polyp arising from the tongue of a 40-day-old infant is presented.
  • The observed lesion was characterized by squamous epithelium covering a core of fibroadipose tissue, minor salivary glands, and cartilage.

Findings:

  • The hairy polyp demonstrated a complex histological composition, confirming its dual ectodermal and mesodermal origin.
  • Clinicopathological features, including terminology, etiology, and differential diagnosis, were analyzed for this rare presentation.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known anatomical locations for hairy polyps, highlighting the tongue as a potential site.
  • Understanding the clinicopathological spectrum is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of these rare congenital anomalies.