Filiform Polyposis in Ulcerative Colitis: A Rare Pediatric Case

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Pathology

Background:

• Filiform polyposis, also known as inflammatory or pseudopolyposis, is a rare, benign condition.
• It arises from non-specific mucosal and submucosal reactions to severe inflammation, often associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Characterized by multiple finger-like projections, it commonly affects the transverse and descending colon.

Observation:

• A 15-year-old female patient with a history of ulcerative colitis presented with severe abdominal pain.
• Imaging studies, including abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance enterography, indicated mucosal thickening in the transverse and descending colon.
• Colonoscopy confirmed the presence of numerous small filiform polyps throughout the colon.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination of the polyps revealed them to be inflammatory in nature.
• These findings confirmed the association of filiform polyps with ulcerative colitis in this pediatric patient.
• The polyps were determined to be non-neoplastic.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates that non-neoplastic filiform polyps can be identified in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis, even in periods of long-term remission.
• The presence of filiform polyps may warrant further investigation or monitoring in pediatric patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease.
• Understanding this association is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and its complications.