Solitary rectal cap polyp: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Rectal bleeding combined with the presence of a rectal mass has been traditionally associated with the presence of malignant disease. Cap polyposis is a relatively young and still undefined rare entity which mainly involves the rectosigmoid. It is characterized by the presence of inflammatory polyps. In this case report, we present a patient who was diagnosed with a solitary cap polyp of the rectum during the investigation of a bleeding rectal mass. The patient's age and the absence of family history were not in favor of malignancy, despite the strong initial clinical impression. After confirmation of the diagnosis, the patient underwent a snare excision and remains asymptomatic. Cap polyposis, although rare, should be suspected and, when diagnosed, should be treated according to location, number of polyps and severity of symptoms.