Diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the rectosigmoid colon with extraintestinal involvement

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Vascular Malformations
• Oncology

Background:

• Cavernous hemangiomas of the colon are rare, often presenting as a cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• These vascular lesions can occur solitarily, multiply, or as part of syndromes with cutaneous manifestations.

Observation:

• A 26-year-old woman presented with a rectosigmoid cavernous hemangioma.
• Further investigation revealed additional hemangiomas in pelvic structures, spine, iliac bone, and spleen.
• This patient exhibited multi-visceral involvement without any cutaneous manifestations.

Findings:

• The patient's condition represents an intermediate variety between solitary hemangiomas and complex syndromes with cutaneous and structural anomalies.
• The absence of cutaneous signs in the presence of multi-visceral hemangiomas is noteworthy.

Implications:

• The potential for extraintestinal hemangiomatosis should be considered in all patients diagnosed with colonic cavernous hemangioma.
• Investigation for widespread disease is warranted, even in the absence of cutaneous manifestations or with limited colonic involvement.