Diagnosis, management and recurrence rates of Mitrofanoff polyps

Intraluminal polyps are a known complication following creation of a urinary continent catheterizable channel (Mitrofanoff). These polyps can lead to difficult catheterizations in addition to symptomatic bleeding. However, there is limited data available regarding management and outcomes of these polyps. We aim to describe clinical presentation and management of a large series of polyps occurring in a Mitrofanoff channel.

We performed a retrospective review of all patients that were treated for polyps in a Mitrofanoff at our institution. Information was collected regarding presenting symptoms, management and recurrence rates of the polyps.

A total of 24 patients were identified that fulfilled inclusion criteria. The majority of these polyps developed in channels composed of appendix (87%), while only 3 patients (13%) had polyps develop in an ileal composed channel. Thirteen (54%) of these polyps were incidentally diagnosed while 11 patients presented with a variety of symptoms such as difficulty in catheterization, bleeding with catheterization or both difficulty catheterizing and bleeding. For management of the polyps, a cystoscopy was performed and snaring the polyp with stone basket was performed in 37%, energy was applied to base to remove polyps in 33%, 16% were fulgurated and only 13% were left in situ. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia and all of the pathology was benign showing chronic inflammatory tissue. Eight polyps (33%) recurred after initial treatment.

We did not observe an asymptomatic channel polyp convert to a symptomatic during our follow up period. Our experience has led us to not intervene on all asymptomatic Mitrofanoff polyps encountered during cystoscopy under assumption they will inevitably become symptomatic. Although we admit our follow up period may not be long enough to make this a universal declaration of best practice when any Mitrofanoff polyp is diagnosed. Endoscopic treatment was effective minimally invasive method to address the symptomatic polyp rather than excision and construction of new channel.

This is the largest series to date of polyps developing in urinary continent catheterizable channels. The majority of these polyps were encountered incidentally however symptomatic polyps presented with difficulty with catheterizations. Symptomatic polyps can be managed endoscopically but recurrence of the polyp can occur.