Localized ileal giant pseudopolyposis in Crohn's disease: a case report

Localized giant pseudopolyposis is a rare complication in inflammatory bowel disease defined as a pseudopolyp (isolated or clustered) larger than 1.5 cm in size. Giant pseudopolyps are more commonly found in ulcerative colitis compared to Crohn's disease and mainly involve the left colon. A 26-year-old male patient with a two-year history of Crohn's disease was admitted with increasing abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss and fever. On physical examination, the abdomen was diffusely tender. Computed tomography showed diffuse irregular thickening of the ileal wall and stenosis of the terminal ileum. The patient underwent ileo-cecal resection with re-anastomosis. The ileal portion of the resected specimen harboured multiple finger-like pedunculated polyps, with the smallest measuring 0.5 cm and the largest measuring 1.8 cm. Histologically, the polyps were consistent with granulation tissue. No evidence of dysplasia or malignancy was found. The post-operative course was uneventful considering one month follow-up. This report illustrates an unusual case of giant pseudopolyposis involving the ileum in a patient with Crohn's disease. The natural history of these lesions, as well as their optimal management, remain uncertain.