Three Cases of Pyogenic Granuloma of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Abstract

Abstract Pyogenic granuloma also known as lobular capillary hemangioma occurs commonly in the skin and oral mucosa. This entity has been rarely reported in the gastrointestinal tract. We herein report three cases of pyogenic granuloma, located in the duodenum, ileum, and rectum, respectively. Case 1 is a 54-year-old female with a history of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy for severe heartburn. The endoscopy showed a 13-mm nonbleeding, pedunculated polyp in the second portion of duodenum, which was removed using a hot snare after injection of epinephrine. The patient had an episode of massive gastrointestinal bleeding postpolypectomy, with a significant drop of her hemoglobin, which was managed with blood transfusion. Case 2 is a 68-year-old male with a history of right hemicolectomy due to trauma who had a colonoscopy for chronic diarrhea. The colonoscopy revealed a 14-mm, nonbleeding, pedunculated polyp in the ileum, located 3 cm from the ileocolonic anastomosis. The polyp was removed with hot snare, without complications. Case 3 is a 44-year-old female with morbid obesity who underwent a colonoscopy for iron-deficiency anemia. The colonoscopy showed an 8-mm multilobulated sessile lesion in the distal rectum, which was completely removed using hot snare. No complications were seen postpolypectomy. Histological examination of all the three polyps showed a proliferation of capillary-sized blood vessels with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, resembling granulation tissue. Additionally, the ileal polyp in our case had marked eosinophilic infiltrate, the etiology of which remains unknown. In conclusion, pyogenic granuloma, given its vascular nature, can be a cause of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Awareness regarding this rare entity is important for its proper diagnosis and treatment.