Doctors Reported Rare Nasal Polyp in Teenager
A rare, benign growth was identified in a 13-year-old's nasal cavity, marking an unusual case location.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Allergies
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In February 2026, clinicians in South Korea reported a rare hairy polyp located on the lateral wall of a 13-year-old's nasal cavity. This growth is notable because hairy polyps typically appear in much younger children and are usually found in the nasopharynx or oropharynx.
Why it matters
While generally benign, these growths can cause respiratory or feeding issues in children, making their identification and surgical removal important for patient comfort. Understanding that these polyps can occur in atypical locations or older children helps clinicians recognize potential causes of nasal obstruction.
A 2025 systematic review of 147 pediatric cases found that 89.1% of patients were under age 6, with only 4.8% diagnosed in adulthood. This review confirms the rarity of findings in older adolescents compared to the overall occurrence rate of roughly 1 in 40,000 live births.
The players
Busan Paik Hospital
A medical facility in South Korea that documented and published this clinical case report.
The details
Hairy polyps are benign developmental growths composed of skin-like tissues, including hair follicles, fat, and cartilage derived from ectoderm and mesoderm. They are typically diagnosed by examining the surgically removed tissue under a microscope. While most commonly found in the nasopharynx or oropharynx, this recent report marks the first documented case of such a polyp on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity in English-language literature.
Timeline
2020: Researchers in Brazil reported a case of a hairy polyp in a teenager.
2024: A separate case report documented a 12-year-old experiencing nasal blockage.
2025: A systematic review of 147 pediatric cases was published.
February 2026: The Busan Paik Hospital case report was published online.
2026: A clinical report from China described a polyp on the nasal septum.
Health Landscape
Hairy polyps represent a well-documented category of congenital benign growths that historically favor early childhood and specific pharyngeal locations. This case sits as an outlier in the clinical record, shifting the standard understanding of where these growths may manifest in older children.
Parents of children experiencing persistent nasal blockage or breathing difficulties should consult with a primary care provider to rule out structural causes. While rare, understanding that benign growths can present as nasal obstructions is a helpful detail to discuss with your doctor.
The takeaway
Although hairy polyps are very rare, they are a known cause of nasal obstruction that physicians treat through surgical removal. If a child experiences unexplained breathing or feeding challenges, a conversation with a pediatrician or otolaryngologist is the appropriate next step.
Further reading
For more information on nasal health and common airway obstructions, visit our section on Allergies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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