The lucky polyp: an unusual manifestation of chronic schistosomiasis

A 23-year-old male from Brazil presented with bright red hematochezia. Proctological examination revealed grade II internal hemorrhoids, but flexible sigmoidoscopy uncovered a 6 mm-pedunculated polyp in the sigmoid colon, which was found to result from inflammatory reaction to Schistosoma mansoni egg deposition. The patient had no signs of portal hypertension and was successfully treated with praziquantel. This case underscores a rare presentation of chronic intestinal schistosomiasis and emphasizes the role of early diagnosis in preventing severe hepatic sequelae of chronic Schistosoma infection.