Focal polypoid ischemia of the colon: atheroemboli presenting as a colonic polyp

Cholesterol emboli are known to imitate a variety of disease processes, thereby leading to delayed diagnosis. We describe a patient with a localized polypoid mass of the colon without endoscopic evidence of generalized ischemic colitis. Histologic evaluation revealed this polyp to be the result of localized ischemia with identifiable submucosal atheroemboli. Localized polyp formation appears to be a rare manifestation of atheroemboli; consequently, focal ischemia, caused by atheroemboli, should be added to the differential diagnosis of polyps of the colon.