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Intermittent intussusception caused by colonic lipoma
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Taiwan Provincial Taipei Hospital, Taiwan.
Summary
Colonic lipomas are rare but can cause intussusception. This case highlights a large lipoma mimicking colon cancer, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation of abdominal pain.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Colonic lipomas are uncommon benign tumors, typically small and asymptomatic.
- Intussusception is a known complication, usually associated with larger, pedunculated lipomas.
- Submucosal lipomas can present diagnostic challenges, potentially mimicking malignancy.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old woman presented with intractable upper abdominal pain, initially suspected as a peptic ulcer.
- Imaging studies revealed intussusception caused by a large colonic submucosal lipoma.
- Barium enema and CT scans suggested a malignant colonic tumor due to the lipoma's appearance.
Findings:
- The patient underwent right hemicolectomy for the suspected malignancy.
- Histopathological examination confirmed the tumor to be a large submucosal lipoma.
- Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with no recurrence at 6-month follow-up.
Implications:
- Large colonic lipomas can cause significant symptoms, including intussusception and pain mimicking other conditions.
- Diagnostic imaging may misinterpret lipomas as malignant tumors, necessitating careful clinical correlation.
- Physicians should consider colonic lipomas in the differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain, especially when imaging is equivocal.