Lipoma of the small intestine treated with endoscopic resection

Abstract

We report a case of lipoma of the small intestine that was treated by endoscopic resection. A 79-year-old man who complained of tarry stool was diagnosed as having jejunal tumor at a neighboring clinic. Computed tomography (CT) and enteroscopy demonstrated an ulcerating jejunal mass. Because the tumor was considered to be the source of bleeding, we removed it under double-balloon endoscopy with a SB knife without any procedure-related complications. Histological examination revealed that the tumor was composed of mature adipose tissue, compatible with lipoma. SB knife, a scissors-type device for submucosal dissection, may be more appropriate than snare polypectomy for removal of small bowel tumors, because it can control bleeding readily and satisfactorily. Our experience suggests that submucosal dissection may be an appropriate procedure for removal of lipomas of the intestine. Endoscopic resection with SB knife and double-balloon endoscopy is a potential option to avoid surgical resection in the management of tumors of the small intestine.