Multinucleated stromal giant cells in colonic lamina propria

Multinucleated stromal giant cells occur in the anus, genitals and many other organs. They resemble myofibroblasts, react to local injury and are found incidentally or in association with various lesions. They have only rarely been reported to occur in the colon. The aim was to firmly establish their existence in colorectal lamina propria.

Specimens from one hundred biopsies taken from throughout the colon (70%) and rectum (30%) were retrospectively reviewed. Multinucleated stromal giant cells occurred in 23 specimens (23%), were pancolonic but surprisingly spared rectal mucosa (0%). Multinucleated stromal giant cells occurred in both normal mucosa and abnormal mucosa and appeared to be larger and more numerous in abnormal mucosa than in normal mucosa. Specimens with tubular adenomas appeared to have strikingly abundant multinucleated stromal giant cells with large numbers of nuclei. Immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural examination showed features consistent with myofibroblastic differentiation.

We have firmly established the existence of multinucleated stromal giant cells in colonic lamina propria and confirm their myofibroblastic differentiation. They may be more common in abnormal mucosa and particularly prominent in the setting of tubular adenoma. Absence of rectal multinucleated stromal giant cells may represent a microanatomical difference between the colon and rectum.