Fibroepithelial polyps of the head and neck

Abstract

Fibroepithelial polyps are benign polypoid lesions arising from the mesodermal tissue and are one of the most common cutaneous lesions, but are rare in the oral cavity and upper airway. Two cases are discussed here. A 40 year old male presented with cough of five months duration associated with an intermittent foreign body sensation in the throat. Examination revealed single smooth pinkish pedunculated mass hanging freely from the superior pole of the left tonsil. The patient underwent tonsillectomy and histopathological examination revealed features of fibroepithelial polyp. A 65 year old male chronic smoker presented with swelling in the mouth behind the upper teeth since two months. Examination of the oral cavity revealed a single, non-tender, firm, smooth pedunculated pink swelling just behind the upper incisor on the right side of hard palate; the mass was excised and found to be a fibroepithelial polyp. The diagnosis of fibroepithelial polyps is primarily by histopathological examination of the excised mass. The key to preventing the recurrence of that lesion is its surgical excision in toto along with elimination of the source of irritation that led to the lesion.