Submucosal mucous cysts at a colostomy site: relationship to colitis cystica profunda and report of a case

Abstract

A unique case of submucosal mucus-containing cysts of the colon occurring at a colostomy site is described. The cysts appear to have been the result of surgery eight years previously, and were due to either implantation of colonic mucosa into the submucosa or entrapment of mucosa following healing of postsurgical ulceration. Because these cysts are identical to the lesions seen in colitis cystica profunda, this case provides additional support for the hypothesis that colitis cystica profunda is an acquired disease, and illustrates that it may occur as a rare complication of colonic surgery.