Pyogenic granuloma of the large intestine: Case report and review of reported cases in the adult

Abstract

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a polypoid lobular capillary hemangioma rarely described in the large bowel. We describe the case of a 72-year-old man with recent weight loss, anemia, and change in bowel habit. A 3cm×2cm polypoid lesion in the right flexure of the colon was observed and treated with extended right hemicolectomy. A review of the English-language literature on PG of the large bowel in adults yielded eight previously reported cases. The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 80 years with a mean of 54.8 years. The lesions were all solitary, except one case of multiple lesions in the colon. Another case was associated with satellite lesions. Seven cases were located in the colon and two in the rectum. The mean maximum diameter of the lesions was 1.6cm (range 0.5–3cm). Colorectal bleeding was the most common clinical symptom. Due to its unusual appearance, PG can be misdiagnosed and mistreated as colon carcinoma with extensive surgery. Polypectomy or endoscopy mucosal resection is the optimal treatment. In large or deep lesions, a surgical excision may be necessary. Pathologists should be familiar with this condition so as to avoid overdiagnosis as a malignant vascular tumor.