Localized giant inflammatory polyposis of the cecum associated with distal ulcerative colitis

LARGE INTESTINE OBSTRUCTION CAUSED BY PSEUDOPOLYPOSIS IN THE COURSE OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS - A CASE REPORT

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. Opposite to Crohn's disease, it affects only the mucosa and submucosa of the large intestine. The disease can have episodes of flares and remissions. Endoscopy studies often disclose pseudopolyps, which are perceived as non-neoplastic and usually do not require removal. Rarely pseudopolyps can become big or even gigantic, leading to abdominal pain, bowel movement dysfunction, or even bowel obstruction. We present a case of a 37-year-old male patient with ulcerative colitis who was operated on because of a gigantic pseudopolyp causing bowel obstruction.

Complete Regression of Giant Inflammatory Polyp after Treatment with Adalimumab

Giant inflammatory polyps (GIPs) are a rare complication of IBD resulting from chronic regenerative and healing processes leading to a polypoid formation on inflamed mucosa. We reported a case of GIP in a patient with long standing left-sided ulcerative colitis (UC); a well circumscribed sessile GIP was found during a colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening on a normal colonic mucosa in the cecum. After a severe flare of the left-sided colitis and due to partial response to steroids patient was treated with adalimumab; new colonoscopy after 6 months shows complete disappearance of the GIP previously described. It is the first case report of GIP in normal macroscopic mucosa with complete disappearance after biologic treatment.

Pseudopolyps in inflammatory bowel diseases: Have we learned enough?

Pseudopolyps are a well described entity in the literature and even though the exact pathogenesis of their formation is not completely understood, they are considered non-neoplastic lesions originating from the mucosa after repeated periods of inflammation and ulceration associated with excessive healing processes. Their occurrence is less common in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis, and their overall prevalence ranges from 4% to 74%; moreover, they are found more often in colon but have been detected in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract as well. When their size exceeds the arbitrary point of 1.5 cm, they are classified as giant pseudopolyps. Clinical evaluation should differentiate the pseudopolyps from other polypoid lesions, such as the dysplasia-associated mass or lesion, but this situation represents an ongoing clinical challenge. Pseudopolyps can provoke complications such as bleeding or obstruction, and their management includes medical therapy, endoscopy and surgery; however, no consensus exists about the optimal treatment approach. Patients with pseudopolyps are considered at intermediate risk for colorectal cancer and regular endoscopic monitoring is recommended. Through a review of the literature, we provide here a proposed classification of the characteristics of pseudopolyps.

Tumor-like growth of giant inflammatory polyposis in a patient with ulcerative colitis

We report a unique case of giant obstructing inflammatory polyposis associated with ulcerative colitis (UC). A 25-year-old Japanese man with an UC history of 2 years and 6 months was referred to our institution because of diarrhea and melena. His computed tomography scan showed marked dilation of the transverse and descending colon; therefore, we performed total colectomy. Macroscopic evaluation of the excised specimen indicated constricting lesions with giant polyposis in the transverse and descending colon. The polyposis consisted of narrow worm- or noodle-like polyps that bridged over the irregular ulcers. Histologic evaluation of the excised specimen indicated transmural inflammation with a thickened proper muscular layer overlaid with inflammatory polyposis. Based on these data, a diagnosis of giant inflammatory polyposis should be considered in patients who have had UC. Although giant inflammatory polyposis is considered benign, surgical treatment may be indicated to avoid serious complications.

An obstructing mass in a young ulcerative colitis patient

We present a case of a 19-year-old female who developed subacute obstruction due to giant inflammatory polyps, having undergone treatment for left-sided ulcerative colitis. This is followed by a review of the literature.

Obstructing giant post-inflammatory polyposis in ulcerative colitis: Case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Post-inflammatory polyps >15 mm in diameter or length are termed "giant". This benign and rare sequel of ulcerative colitis or colonic Crohn's disease can mimic colorectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

To illustrate this rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease and outline the characteristic radiological, endoscopic and histopathological features, by reviewing all previously published cases of giant post-inflammatory polyps in the English literature.

RESULTS

Reports of 81 giant post-inflammatory polyps in 78 patients were identified by systematic review of the literature. The incidence of giant post-inflammatory polyps is related to the extent of ulcerative colitis (incidence: 0%, 30%, and 70%, in proctitis, left-sided, and extensive disease, respectively). These lesions are typically located in the transverse or descending colon. Giant post-inflammatory polyps are as common in Crohn's disease (n=36) as in ulcerative colitis (n=42, 54%). Clinical presentations varies, including pain (n=29), rectal bleeding (n=20), diarrhoea (n=19), luminal obstruction (n=15), or a palpable mass (n=11). Symptomatic presentation results in surgical resection. Clinical details and outcomes are comprehensively tabulated.

CONCLUSION

Recognition of this rare entity will prevent unnecessary radical surgical resection for presumed carcinoma. It highlights the need for clinical, radiological, endoscopic and histopathological correlation.