Regression of giant pseudopolyps in inflammatory bowel disease

• Published in: Journal of Crohn's and colitis 2012-03, Vol.6 (2), p.240-243
• Main Authors: Choi, Yong Sung, Suh, Jung Pil, Lee, In Taek, Kim, Jong Kyu, Lee, Suk Hee, Cho, Kyung Ran, Park, Hyun Joo, Kim, Do Sun, Lee, Doo Han
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - diagnosis; Adenoma, Villous - diagnosis; Colitis, Ulcerative - complications; Colitis, Ulcerative - drug therapy; Colonic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Colonic Polyps - complications; Colonic Polyps - diagnosis; Colonic Polyps - drug therapy; Crohn Disease - complications; Crohn Disease - drug therapy; Diagnosis, Differential; Giant pseudopolyp; Humans; Inflammatory bowel disease; Male; Middle Aged; Regression; Remission Induction
• ISSN: 1873-9946; 1876-4479
• DOI: 10.1016/j.crohns.2011.08.007

Inflammatory pseudopolyps are formed in the regenerative and healing phases of ulcerated epithelium. Giant pseudopolyposis of the colon (pseudopolyp larger than 1.5cm in size) is a very rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease and it may lead to colonic intussusception or luminal obstruction, but the more important clinical significance is that it can be endoscopically confused with a malignancy, although it is generally regarded as having no malignant potential. It has been reported that giant pseudopolyposis of the colon rarely regresses with medical management alone and this sometimes require surgical or endoscopic resection. This report illustrates 2 unusual cases of giant pseudopolyps associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and these giant pseudopolyps were initially confused with villous adenoma or adenocarcinoma, but they showed regression after adequate medical therapy.