A Case of Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma (REAH) in a Patient with History of Radiation Exposure

Abstract

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartomas (REAHs) are becoming a more commonly recognized otolaryngologic tumor and are often misdiagnosed as inverted papilloma. Here, we present such a case in a patient with history of previous radiation exposure. Otolaryngologists and pathologists should be aware of the mucinous histological appearance of REAH to help differentiate from other growths. Given our patient's history, an association between REAH and previous radiation exposure is worth consideration.

Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma: An Uncommon Differential of Nasopharyngeal Tumor

“…While an incisional biopsy may give a preliminary indication as to the nature of the mass (whether it is of malignant or benign aetiology), in practice, it is unlikely to preclude performing a defnitive excision. In two reported cases where an incisional biopsy was performed for REAH, the preliminary histopathologic diagnoses suggested infammatory nasal polyps and inverted papilloma, both of which were at variance with the fnal histologic diagnosis of REAH after complete excision [9,10].…”