Giant fibrovascular polyp of the hypopharynx: per-oral endoscopic removal

Abstract

We report an extremely rare case of giant fibrovascular polyp of the hypopharynx. We present a 49-year-old man who had increasing difficulty swallowing, advanced respiratory distress and weight loss, as well as a hypopharyngeal mass protruding from his mouth. Diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopic examination and computed tomography. A tracheostomy was required due to laryngeal obstruction by the regurgitated mass. The giant polyp was removed via per-oral endoscopic excision under general anaesthesia. Fibrovascular polyps occur most commonly in the cervical oesophagus, and are extremely rare in the hypopharynx. They can grow to a very large size over several years. We discuss the symptoms, diagnosis and surgical treatment techniques for upper aerodigestive tract fibrovascular polyps, in the light of the literature.