Inflammatory cloacogenic polyp: diagnostic features by confocal endomicroscopy

Abstract

Inflammatory cloacogenic polyps (ICPs), first described in 1981, 1 Lobert P.F. Appelman H.D. Inflammatory cloacogenic polyp: a unique inflammatory lesion of the anal transitional zone. Am J Surg Pathol. 1981; 5: 761-766 Crossref PubMed Scopus (64) Google Scholar are relatively rare lesions of the anal transitional zone. It is presently thought that ICPs are regenerative changes of the rectal mucosa caused by recurrent prolapse. 2 Saul S.H. Inflammatory cloacogenic polyp: relationship to solitary rectal ulcer syndrome/mucosal prolapse and other bowel disorders. Hum Pathol. 1987; 18: 1120-1125 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (53) Google Scholar , 3 Tendler D.A. Aboudola S. Zacks J.F. et al. Prolapsing mucosal polyps: an unrecognized form of colonic polyp—a clinicopathological study in 15 cases. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002; 97: 370-376 PubMed Google Scholar These polyps arise in association with various conditions (eg, internal hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, colorectal tumors, and Crohn's disease) in which mucosal injury is the underlying pathogenic mechanism. 3 Tendler D.A. Aboudola S. Zacks J.F. et al. Prolapsing mucosal polyps: an unrecognized form of colonic polyp—a clinicopathological study in 15 cases. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002; 97: 370-376 PubMed Google Scholar Most cases of ICP are benign, although occasionally malignancy has been reported.