title: Presentation and Management of Giant Fibrovascular Polyps of the Hypopharynx and Esophagus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fibrovascular polyps of the hypopharynx and esophagus are rare, with few case reports in the literature. In this article, we present our institutional experience with a focus on airway and surgical management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary academic institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted of 4 patients that presented to a tertiary medical center with fibrovascular polyps between 1990 and 2012. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, and surgical approaches were reviewed. A review of the published literature was also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age at presentation was 72 years (range, 59-85 years). Among the 4 patients, 2 presented with airway compromise requiring tracheotomy. All patients had removal of the polyp shortly after presentation; 2 underwent transcervical approaches with lateral pharyngotomy/esophagotomy, and the other 2 had endoscopic removal. The polyps arose from the hypopharynx in 3 patients and upper esophagus in 1. Three patients had complete resolution of their symptoms and remained disease free. One patient had recurrence of the polyp 2 years later and is currently being observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fibrovascular polyps are rare tumors of the hypopharynx/esophagus that present in older adults. Although benign, they can cause life-threatening airway compromise that may necessitate tracheotomy. We present 4 cases of fibrovascular polyps and discuss our evolving surgical management, including endoscopic removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA julinao@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Julina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ongkasuwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: C Lane
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Anzalone
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Esperanza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Donald T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Donovan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011127:Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: endoscopic; esophagus; fibrovascular; hypopharynx; polyp