title: Hairy polyp of the pharynx obscured on physical examination by endotracheal tube, but diagnosed on brain imaging.
abstract: We report a case of hairy polyp of the pharynx diagnosed on brain MRI in order to stress the need to examine carefully all tissues included on an imaging study, even those outside the clinically stated region of interest, and to remind practitioners to consider unusual as well as common etiologies for neonatal respiratory distress. Our case is unique in that thorough examination of a brain MRI, ordered in the evaluation of presumed central apnea, led to the correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0030, USA.
authors.forename: Cameron L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Budenz
authors.forename: Marci M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lesperance
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gebarski
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011127:Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*