Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma: a case report

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid (READ) hamartoma is a recently described entity characterized by abnormal glandular formations arising from the epithelium of the nasal cavity. The etiology of the lesion is unclear and may be secondary to either sinonasal inflammation or developmental error. We present a case of a 54-year-old man with a unilateral nasal mass found to be consistent with READ hamartoma upon pathologic review. Although READ hamartomas are thought to be rare, awareness of the lesion is important since it may be confused with sinonasal adenocarcinoma, leading to overly aggressive treatment. Therefore, READ hamartoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a unilateral nasal mass.