Colitis cystica profunda of the rectum: An unexpected operative finding

Abstract

Colitis cystic profunda is a rare entity benign condition of the colon and rectum that can mimic suspicious polyps or malignancy. The commonest sites of affectation are the rectum and the sigmoid colon but it can be unusually widely distributed in the colon. The aetiology of this condition is not fully elucidated and confident diagnosis can only be made on histological features. We hereby describe a patient who presented with significant rectal symptoms and an unexpected finding of a submucosal mucous cyst mimicking a suspicious rectal polyp and highlighted its significance and the review of the literature.