An Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp (Vanek’s Tumor) of the Ileum that Presented as Intussusception

Jung-Hee Yoon

doi:10.4236/act.2013.24024

Abstract

Ileoileal intussusceptions caused by inflammatory fibroid polyps are uncommon. Inflammatory fibroid polyps (Vanek’s tumor) are rare benign lesions that originate in the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we report the case of a 54-year-old woman who was admitted with an acute onset of abdominal pain and signs of intestinal obstruction. The ileal segment was resected, and single-layer end-to-end anastomosis was performed. A submucosal polypoid mass measuring approximately 4.5 × 4.0 cm was found. The histopathological analysis revealed an ulcerated mucosal lesion with variable cellularity that was formed by spindle cells with slight mitosis and abundant inflammatory infiltrate that was mainly composed of eosinophils. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of ileal inflammatory fibroid polyps. Cross-sectional imaging (multidetector computed tomography) plays a significant role in diagnosing this condition and guiding its management.

Highlights

Intestinal intussusceptions are relatively common causes of intestinal obstruction that occur most frequently in the ileocolic area
The present report describes the case of a patient who presented with intussusceptions and intestinal obstruction caused by an ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp
Inflammatory fibroid polyps are rarely seen in adults, but they are among the probable diagnoses that should be considered in obstructive tumors of the small bowel causing intussusceptions

Summary

Introduction

Intestinal intussusceptions are relatively common causes of intestinal obstruction that occur most frequently in the ileocolic area. Cases of adult intussusceptions account for only 1% - 5% of all small bowel obstructions [1]. Adenocarcinoma is the most common cause of intussusceptions in adults. Inflammatory fibroid polyps are rare, non-neoplastic lesions that originate in the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. They were first described in the stomach by Vanek in 1949 [2]. The present report describes the case of a patient who presented with intussusceptions and intestinal obstruction caused by an ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp. Inflammatory fibroid polyps are rarely seen in adults, but they are among the probable diagnoses that should be considered in obstructive tumors of the small bowel causing intussusceptions

Case Description

Findings

Discussion