Colon Lipoma

Benign lesions of the colon are infrequent and with a low percentage of appearance. Colon lipomas are in the third place of benign tumors after adenomas and smooth muscle [1,5]. Colonic lipomas are benign non epithelial tumors of soft texture and mesenchymal origin; generally they grow from mature adipocytes. Lipomas can appear in the entire gastrointestinal tract. They are generally asymptomatic, but when symptomatically, bleeding and obstruction can appear [2,4]. Its clinical diagnosis is difficult, signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, obstruction, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, constipation, and intussusception [5]. These tumors are found in endoscopies, radiological exams, surgical interventions, and autopsies. We present 2 cases of colon lipoma.

Case 1

54 year old female patient presented progressive constipation that started 6 months ago. On her surgical records she presented cease and extirpation of a right ovarian cyst. Colonoscopy was performed where a sessile pedunculated polypoidlesion of approximately 2 inches was found 30 inches from the anal margin, with ulcers on its apex of approximately 2 inches of diameter (Figure 1).

The lesion obstructed the 60% of the lumen producing a valve effect which explained her symptomatology and making it impossible to extirpate via endoscopy. Instead, colotomy was performed to extirpate the tumor. The pathologist reported a nodular tumor of adipose aspect with dimensions of 2.16 x 1.37 x 1.18 inches (Figure 2).

Microscopy reported a neoplasia of mesenchymal linage, demarcated and formed by the proliferation of mature adipocytes. No mitoticactivitynor nuclear atypia was observed (Figure 3).

Figure 1: Polipoid lesion, pedunculated, and located 30 inches from the anal margin, with ulcers in the apex of approximately 2 inches.

Figure 2: Macroscopic view of the polypoid nodule of adipose aspect that measures 2.16x1.37x1.18 inches.

Figure 3: Microscopy of the polypoid lesion. Mature adipocytes disposed in lobules separated by thin walls of fibroconnectivevascular tissue. No nuclear atypia nor mitotic activity was observed.

Case 2

40 year old female patient was admitted to the emergency department for presenting abdominal distention, pain, constipation, and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. She also presented one episode of enterorrhagia which made her almost faint. In the physical exam she presented abdominal distention and mild pain to palpation. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a mass located in the transverse colon. TC scans evidenced a tumoral solid mass, of adipose aspect, homogeneous, lobulated, of approximately 1.57x1.18 inches, and well demarcated suggesting a lipoma (Figures 4-6). Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed and a sample was takenfor biopsy. The pathologist reported a benign submucosal tumor formed by mature adipocytes. An extensive ulcer located in the overlying mucosa with an acute inflammation and fribrinopurulent exudate deposits that corresponds to submucosal, ulcerated and stenosing lipoma was also found. The pericolic lymph nodes had a preserved architecture. The lipoma located in the right colon obstructed almost 95% of the lumen. After the surgery, the patient had a successful recovery.

Figure 4: CT scan showing lipoma that measures 1.57x1.18 inches.

Figure 5: CT scan evidencing a mass of adipose density.

Figure 6: CT scan revealing the location of the lipoma.

Gastrointestinal lipomas were first described by Bauer et al in 1957 [6]. Lipomas of colonic presentation are non-epithelial neoplasias with an incidence of 0,035% to 4% from all the colon polypoid lesions. They are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Sessile polypoid mass that emerges from the submucosa and leaves the mucosa intact is the most common presentation, while the pedunculated is more infrequent. They are commonly located in the ascending colon or cecum and presentfewer symptoms compared with the transverse and descending colon [9]. Lipomas are frequently of plain surface and have a low rate of malignancy [1,2],[10]. Familial multiple lipomas, an autosomal dominant disorder, are multiple lipomas around the body that are especially localized in the upper part [13].

Lipomas can be pedunculated and with an ulcerated or necrotic mucosa, which was presented in our 2 cases. They are generally asymptomatic, especially if their location is in the ascending colon; if it is located elsewhere, symptomatology varies. The most common symptom is abdominal pain followed by alterations in the gastrointestinal transit like our patients presented. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction, and intussusception are less common [11].

Colon lipomas have been accidentally diagnosed in endoscopies, TC scans, colonoscopy and surgical procedures. Other radiologic studies like enema with contrast or endoscopy with ultrasound can also be performed to diagnose these tumors.

Lipomas have an endoscopic or surgical treatment. The endoscopic treatment is recommended for lipomas with a diameter of less than 0.78 inches or pedunculated lipomas with a thin stalk [12]. Complications and risks after this procedure are rare. On the other hand, the surgical treatment includes colotomy with local resection, segmentary resection, and hemicolectomy. These procedures vary according to the size, location, and possible complications of the lipoma [7,12]. Complications after this type of procedures are infrequent but include hemorrhage or perforation [2,8],[11]. Chylous leakage is a rare complication and occurs after a surgical trauma of the lymphatic vessels [14]. In our 2 cases, surgical treatment was performed. The first case was a colotomy with extirpation of the mass and posterior closure while the second case a right laparoscopic hemicolectomy was performed. Both cases did not present any type of complications and had a favorable recuperation after surgery.