Colonic pedunculated polypoid vascular ectasia mimicking ileocolic intussusception: a rare case report

Vascular ectasias are characterized by abnormal blood vessel enlargement and presumed to be caused by degenerative processes. About 3% of lower gastrointestinal bleeding is caused by it. On endoscopy, colonic arteriovenous malformations are frequently solitary, sizable, flat, or raised red lesions. Conversely, colonic vascular ectasia that manifests as pedunculated polypoid lesions are rare.

A 45-year-old woman presented with hematochezia and abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound and Contrast enhanced computed tomography abdomen, both showed features of ileocolic intussusception. Intraoperatively, an intraluminal pedunculated polypoid growth extending up to the hepatic flexure of the colon was discovered. A right hemicolectomy was performed, removing the polypoid growth as well. After histopathological evaluation, a final diagnosis of colonic polypoid vascular ectasia was made.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is the common initial manifestation of vascular ectasia, while some individuals may continue to be asymptomatic. According to a study from July 2022, vascular ectasia that manifests as polypoid growth is an uncommon phenomenon that has only been documented in 17 other cases. An intussusception may have a polypoid vascular ectasia as its lead point. Conversely, a large polypoid vascular ectasia may have radiographic characteristics that resemble an intussusception.

Large colonic vascular ectasia, which tends to enlarge over time, can occasionally be misinterpreted as an intussusception due to comparable radiological appearances. In the event that a polypoid colonic vascular ectasia is misidentified for intussusception, the surgical team must be ready to adjust the treatment protocol as needed.