A large polypoid vascular ectasia removed by using a polypectomy with a detachable snare in an asymptomatic patient

Abstract

Vascular ectasia is a well-known cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly. Endoscopically, it usually appears as a flat or elevated bright red lesion. We report on an extremely rare case of a large, pedunculated, polypoid vascular ectasia in an asymptomatic patient. A large pedunculated polypoid mass in the sigmoid colon was observed on colonoscopy during a regular health check-up, and a polypectomy was performed using a detachable snare. In histology, vessels with massive dilation were found mainly in the submucosa, which was consistent with vascular ectasia.

Keywords: Detachable snare; Pedunculated polyp; Vascular ectasia.

Fig. 1

A large pedunculated polypoid lesion (Ip type) was seen in the colonoscopy. The mucosa was hyperemic, and the surface had some folds.

Fig. 2

A snare polypectomy was performed after the stalk of the polyp had been tied by using a detachable snare (A). The specimen measured approximately 4.6 cm × 2.0 cm (B).

Fig. 3

Histopathologic findings of the polyp shows irregular dilatation of venous structures in the edematous submucosal space (H&E: A, ×10; B, ×40).