Doctors Reported Rare Nasal Polyp in Teenager
A South Korean medical report documented a rare growth on the lateral wall of a 13-year-old patient's nasal cavity.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Allergies
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In February 2026, clinicians at Busan Paik Hospital described a rare hairy polyp identified on the lateral nasal wall of a 13-year-old patient. This specific location had not previously been recorded in English-language medical literature.
Why it matters
Hairy polyps are typically diagnosed in early childhood, making the identification of this growth in an older patient a notable case for pediatric specialists. The report adds to the limited body of evidence regarding how these benign masses present in older children.
A 2025 systematic review of 147 cases found that 89.1% of patients were under age 6, with an overall occurrence rate of 1 in 40,000 live births. While 42.2% of these growths originate in the nasopharynx, this recent case appeared on the lateral nasal wall.
The players
Busan Paik Hospital
This is a medical institution located in South Korea where the case report was compiled and published.
The details
Hairy polyps are benign growths comprised of ectoderm and mesoderm tissues, including hair follicles, fat, and cartilage. Diagnosis is confirmed through microscopic examination of the tissue after surgical removal, which remains the standard treatment for the condition.
Timeline
A teenager's case was reported by authors in Brazil in 2020.
A 12-year-old with nasal blockage was described in a 2024 report.
A systematic review of 147 pediatric cases was published in 2025.
The Busan case report was published online in February 2026.
A 2026 report from China documented a polyp on the nasal septum.
The Big Picture
This case follows the clinical documentation patterns set by the 2025 systematic review of 147 hairy polyp cases. The finding highlights how recent medical literature continues to expand the understanding of where these benign growths can manifest in pediatric patients.
Because these growths are rare and typically involve respiratory or feeding issues, parents observing persistent nasal blockage in children should consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Standard medical procedure relies on surgical removal followed by microscopic tissue analysis to confirm a benign diagnosis.
The takeaway
While hairy polyps are predominantly identified in children under the age of 6, this case confirms that rare presentations can occur in older adolescents. Clinicians and parents should remain aware that unusual nasal obstructions require formal examination to rule out structural growths.
Further reading
Learn more about common diagnostic procedures and treatment paths in Allergies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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