Hypopharyngeal lipomatous hamartoma in piriform fossa: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

Most hypopharyngeal disease presentations involve tumours or growths of various cellular origin. These lesions may include choristomas, hamartomas, hyperplasia, and harmless or dangerous neoplasms. A hamartoma is a benign focal malformation of tissue at the site of origin that lacks specific distinguishing features and is often designated as a neoplasm without consideration of pathology or biological behaviour. Here, we discuss the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with gradual dysphagia for 4 months along with sleep apnoea and voice changes. No palpable neck masses or abnormal lymphadenopathy was found. A left-sided homogeneous cyst-like mass was seen in the piriform fossa on laryngoscopy. The vocal cords were visualized and mobile. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed the obliteration of the piriform sinus on the left side by a faintly enhanced heterogeneous soft tissue lesion. The lesion originated from the left aryepiglottic fold, and was approached via micro-laryngoscopy and excised. Histopathological analysis led to a diagnosis of lipomatous hamartoma.