Fibroepithelial polyp of palatine tonsil: a case report

Pan Afr Med J. 2021 Aug 27:39:276. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.276.31057. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Fibroepithelial polyps represent a frequent cutaneous lesion of mesodermal origin, with a prevalence of 1.2% and are rarely located at palatine tonsils. We present a rare clinical report of a 70-year-old female patient with fibroepithelial polyp of palatine tonsil. This entity represents the eighth case of palatine tonsil fibroepithelial polyp in the English literature. She presented with a polypoid mass at the right tonsil and unspecified throat symptoms. Physicians should pay attention to such lesions because of the residual risk of malignant transformation, along with non-specific symptoms. Differential diagnosis was among neurofibroma, lipoma, squamous papilloma and fibroepithelial polyp. Histopathological examination following tonsillectomy showed a structure rich in vesicles inside lamina propria and surrounding inflammation, establishing the diagnosis of a fibroepithelial polyp. It requires vigilance during complete clinical examination, in order to detect masses at patients with throat symptoms that could have remained undiagnosed until they become even life threatening.

Keywords: Fibroepithelial polyp; case report; surgery; tonsil.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Fibroepithelial / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Fibroepithelial / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Fibroepithelial / surgery
  • Palatine Tonsil / pathology
  • Palatine Tonsil / surgery
  • Polyps / diagnosis*
  • Polyps / pathology
  • Polyps / surgery
  • Tonsillar Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Tonsillar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tonsillar Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tonsillectomy