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Isolated colonic hemangioma in a child
1McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
Insights
Large cavernous hemangiomas in the colon are rare, especially in infants. This case highlights a 9-month-old with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding due to a colonic hemangioma, successfully treated with surgery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Vascular Anomalies
Background:
- Hemangiomas of the large bowel are exceptionally rare, with most cases reported in the rectosigmoid region.
- Colonic hemangiomas, particularly cavernous types, pose diagnostic and management challenges in pediatric patients.
Observation:
- A 9-month-old infant presented with persistent lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding.
- Diagnostic imaging, including barium examination and computed tomography, revealed an annular lesion in the hepatic flexure consistent with a large cavernous hemangioma.
Findings:
- Computed tomography with contrast enhancement effectively delineated the vascular nature and extent of the colonic hemangioma.
- Surgical resection via laparotomy was successfully performed to remove the tumor.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare vascular tumors in the differential diagnosis of pediatric gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Early and accurate diagnosis through advanced imaging is crucial for timely surgical intervention and improved patient outcomes in managing colonic hemangiomas.
Abstract:
Hemangiomas of the large bowel are very rare and usually occur in the rectosigmoid. A large cavernous hemangioma of the colon was demonstrated in a 9-month-old child who presented with recurrent lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Barium examination demonstrated an annular lesion of the hepatic flexure. Computed tomography demonstrated the extent of the lesion, and contrast enhancement suggested the vascular nature of the tumour before a laparotomy was performed to remove the tumour.