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Endoscopic treatment of ganglioneuroma of the colon associated with a lipoma: a case report

Enrico Fiori*, Chiara Pozzessere, Antonietta Lamazza, Giovanni Leone, Francesco Borrini, Alberto Schillaci and Pietro Mingazzini

Author Affiliations

Department of Surgery “Pietro Valdoni”, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy

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Journal of Medical Case Reports 2012, 6:304 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-6-304

Published: 14 September 2012

Abstract

Introduction

Ganglioneuromas are rare benign peripheral neuroblastic tumors characterized by hyperplasia of ganglion cells, nerve fibers, and supporting cells. They are not usually localized in the colon.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to our department for colon cancer screening. A colonoscopy revealed a lipoma of 5cm in diameter, two micropolyps of less than 1cm, and one sessile polyp of 0.6cm in diameter. The polyps were removed with hot biopsy forceps. A histological examination revealed two hyperplastic polyps and one ganglioneuroma polyp. A follow-up colonoscopy showed no signs of recurrence after 16 months.

Conclusions

Although a few cases of lipomas associated with ganglioneuromatous syndrome have been reported, the association of an intestinal lipoma with an isolated ganglioneuroma polyp has not been described. The implications of this association are unknown.