Filiform polyposis in a 20-year-old patient with ulcerative colitis – a rare occurrence

Introduction/Objective Filiform polyposis (FP), also referred as inflammatory polyposis or pseudopolyposis, is an uncommon benign entity usually diagnosed in patients with history of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, interstitial tuberculosis or histiocytosis X. It is characterized by multiple finger-like mucosal projections/pseudopolyps seen more commonly in transverse and descending colon. Pathogenesis of FP is uncertain but it is hypothesized to be reactive process to chronic inflammation leading to formation of fingerlike projections. The term filiform polyposis was coined in 1974 by Appleman HD and his collegues to describe numerous long slender worm-like (filiform) colonic lesions seen in radiographs. Herein, we are going to present a case of FP diagnosed in a 20-year-old male with history of medically refractive ulcerative colitis. Methods/Case Report The patient is a 20-year-old male, with a history of medically refractive ulcerative colitis on systemic steroids and vedolizumab. He underwent sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy which reveals multiple pedunculated, polypoid lesions, ranging from 0.5 to 3 cm in length with white tips (cap of purulent mucous). Patient underwent total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy. The specimen received by our deparment consist of a segment of right colon (63 cm in length, 3.5 cm in diameter) with attached ileum (3 cm in length, 2 cm in diameter) and appendix (6 cm in length, 0.8 cm in diameter). The part of the right colon is constricted/strictured measuring 24 cm in length, 2 cm in diameter. Opening reveals numerous (>100) pedunculated, finger-like polypoid lesions measuring from 0.3 cm to 2 cm in length. The lesions involve the entire right colon including distal colonic surgical margin. Appendix and ileum are not involved by the lesion and grossly unremarkable. Microscopic evaluation of the lesions reveal acute and chronic inflammatory cells, granulation tissue, areas of necrosis and reactive changes with focal mucosal atrophy consistent with chronic ulcerative colitis. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Filiform polyposis (FP) is an uncommon benign entity commonly seen in association with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Diagnosing FP requires comprehensive gross and microscopic examination as well as review of clinical history and imaginig studies. Because of its uncommon nature, we recommend to report this entity to raise awareness and to educate the pathologists who have not diagnosed it before.

Filiform polyposis with sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma: a case report

Background Filiform polyposis is a rare form of inflammatory polyposis, which is occasionally formed in the colon of patients with history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is characterized by presence of several to hundreds of slender, worm-like polyps in the colon lined by histologically normal colonic mucosa and often coalesce, resulting in a tumor-like mass. Filiform polyposis is most frequently associated with a post-inflammatory reparative process in patients with IBD history, and only cases of filiform polyposis occurring in patients without IBD history have been reported. Filiform polyposis has been considered as a benign inflammatory polyposis without any risk of dysplasia, while the possibility of carcinogenesis of inflammatory polyps is not fully excluded. To date, only three cases of filiform polyposis coexisting with dysplasia have been reported. Case presentation A 59-year-old male patient with no past medical history of IBD underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for obstructive filiform polyposis, which was associated with sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. Based on the histological findings of the resected specimen, invasive sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma was surrounded by filiform polyposis, and adenocarcinoma also scattered uniformly on the surface of filiform polyposis. In immunohistochemistry, abnormal p53 expression was observed in adenocarcinoma, while it was not shown in mucosa on filiform polyposis. Conclusions This is the fourth case of filiform polyposis that is closely associated with colon dysplasia or adenocarcinoma based on histological findings. However, immunohistochemical findings did not support the theory that inflammation initiates adenocarcinoma in filiform polyposis like IBD. Hence, further immunohistochemical and genetic analyses are needed to clarify the association between filiform polyposis and carcinogenesis.