Pyogenic granuloma of the sigmoid colon

Abstract

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a polypoid form of lobular capillary hemangioma that usually occurs in the skin and some mucosal surfaces. However, it is extremely rare in the intestinal tract and its preoperative diagnosis is difficult. We report on a case of PG of the sigmoid colon in a 62-year-old woman with a 6-month history of rectal bleeding. A pedunculated polypoid lesion was detected by colonoscopy and a polypectomy was performed. A microscopical study revealed a lobular arrangement proliferation of varying sizes of capillaries within an edematous stroma. A critical review of the English literature yielded only another well-documented case of PG in the large intestine. Diagnostic consideration includes inflammatory polyp and other vascular tumors such as bacillary angiomatosis and the angiomatous variant of Kaposi's sarcoma. Precise recognition of this distinctive vascular neoplasm in the gastrointestinal tract is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.