Colonoscopic removal of an appendiceal polyp

Fazal Imtiaz Khawaja

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CASE REPORT

Year : 2002 | Volume : 8 | Issue : 3 | Page : 93-95

Colonoscopic removal of an appendiceal polyp

Fazal Imtiaz Khawaja
Department of Gastroenterology, King Fahad Hospital. Al Madidanah Al Munawarrah, Saudi Arabia

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Date of Submission	06-Jun-2001
Date of Acceptance	19-Dec-2001

How to cite this article:
Khawaja FI. Colonoscopic removal of an appendiceal polyp. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2002;8:93-5

How to cite this URL:
Khawaja FI. Colonoscopic removal of an appendiceal polyp. Saudi J Gastroenterol [serial online] 2002 [cited 2023 Jan 29];8:93-5. Available from: https://www.saudijgastro.com/text.asp?2002/8/3/93/33398

Benign polyps of the vermiform appendix are rare and usually discovered incidentally during surgery or at autopsy. A gross abnormality of the appendix is recognized in 5% of these cases^[1] . The reported incidence of benign appendiceal polyps from various autopsy series ranges from 0.004% to 0.08%^[2] . Lack of careful inspection of the appendiceal lumens by pathologists may be one of the reasons of such wide fluctuation in the reported incidences. Polyps might be discovered more frequently if the appendix could be cut along its entire length before fixation rather than by the usual multiple transverse cuts^[3] . Appendiceal polyps are usually located in the proximal appendix and may be solitary or multiple^[4] . Synchronous polyps in the colon have been described in up to 25% of the cases^[2] . Multiple appendiceal polyps are well described in familial polyposis syndromes^[4] . A case have been described where adeno-carcinoma of the appendix was the initial presentation of a patient with adenomatous polyposis^[4] . Hamartomatous polyps of the appendix have also been described in Puetz-Jeghers syndrome^[5] . Histologically mutinous cystadenomas are the most common benign polyps followed by villous adenomas and adenomatous polyps^[6],[7] . A case of a pedunculated adenomatous polyp arising from the appendix is described. The polyp could only be visualized as it prolapsed through the appendiceal orifice into the caecal lumen. Intermittent complete retraction into the appendiceal lumen was observed repeatedly. The polyp was grasped with standard snare, pulled into the caecal lumen and an endoscopic polypectomy was safely performed.

Case report

A 76-year old man with coronary artery disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus was referred for evaluation of left flank pain of one-week duration. There was no history of right lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting. He had not noticed any change in his bowel habits. There was no blood in the stools. The physical examination was unremarkable except for guaiac positive brown stools. The hemoglobin was 15g/1, hematocrit was 47.3%. Electrolytes. liver enzymes and routine blood chemistries were all normal. Colonoscopy was performed to evaluate the source of the guaiac positive stools. Five polyps were noted scattered in the colon. The first was 2.5xlem pedunculated polyp in the sigmoid colon. A 0.5cm sessile polyp was located in the distal transverse colon and another 2x1.5cm sessile polyp at the hepatic flexure. Two small polyps were seen in the caecum. One of these polyps was located on the margin of the appendiceal opening while the second polyp was actually occupying the appendiceal orifice [Figure - 1]. This later polyp was protruding into the caecal lumen intermittently. A standard polypectomy snare was used to catch the stalk of the polyp. After the snare was tightened around the stalk the, polyp was gently pulled into the caecal lumen. A thin slender stalk originating from within the appendiceal lumen was clearly visualized [Figure - 2]. The question of a "pseudo-stalk" resulting from a partially inverted appendix was entertained. However, due to a clearly identifiable lumen and the slender nature of the stalk this was considered unlikely. The polyp was removed using coagulation current and a standard polypectomy technique. The residual stalk of the polyp gradually retracted inside the appendiceal orifice [Figure - 3] and finally disappeared entirely inside the appendiceal lumen. Histologically, this proved to be an adenomatous polyp. The polyp at the appendiceal margin and all others colon polyps were also removed. Post colonoscopy, the patient remained asymptomatic. There was no abdominal pain. He did not develop any signs to suggest local peritoneal irritation. The two sessile polyps were benign. The sigmoid polyp had a focus of invasive adenocarcinoma with the malignant cells extending into the resected stalk.

The patient was advised to have surgical resection of the sigmoid colon but he refused any surgical intervention at that time. Six months later he suffered from a massive cerebro-vascular accident and died.

Discussion

Benign adenomatous polyps are amongst the rarest form of the appendiceal neoplasm and are usually discovered incidentally during surgery or autopsy. Clinical features vary from a presentation typical of acute appendicitis or chronic right lower quadrant pain, non-specific symptoms or melena. Occasionally the initial presentation is related to intussusception^[7] . Larger polyps are more likely to be symptomatic because of their tendency to occlude the appendiceal lumen. The ultimate fate of the asymptomatic appendiceal polyps is not known. The risk of carcinoma in these polyps is probably similar to the colonic polyps^[1],[8] . It has been suggested that such patients be subjected to the same surveillance program as those with colonic polyps^[8] . Benign neoplasm of the appendix have rarely been seen or removed at colonoscopy. The commonest benign appendiceal neoplasm seen during colonoscopy are villous adenomas^[9],[10] . The larger sized villous adenomas are sometimes associated with intussusception of the appendix or in-situ carcinoma^{[11],[12],[13]} Adenomatous polyps of the appendix have also been visualized colonoscopically^[14],[15] Minute appendiceal adenomas have been identified with the use of magnifying endoscopes^[16],[17] . Bailey et al described a case of a caecal polyp, where intussusception of the appendix was suspected during the colonoscopic examination. Surgically, resected specimen showed a juvenile polyp, which was originating from the appendix and has resulted in a complete intussusception of the appendix^[18] . Cipolletta et al described colonoscopic removal of a completely inverted appendix, which appeared as a 2.5cm caecal polyp. No signs of peritoneal irritation were noted and small carcinoid tumor was present in the appendix^[19] . Weinstock et al reported colonoscopic removal of a 3cm caecal polyp with long stalk coming out of the appendiceal orifice^[20]. An endoloop was applied to the stalk and the polyp was then removed by using a standard monopolar electrocautery. Histologically, this proved to be a hamartomatous juvenile polyp. In the case presented here, although the polyp was smaller in size, it also has a Long thin stalk coming out of the appendiceal orifice. A completely inverted appendix will appear as an oblong caecal polyp without any identifiable lumen and in case of a partially inverted appendix, the intussusception tip coming out of the appendiceal orifice will look like a thick stalk with the lumen hidden inside. Because both of these possibilities of pseudo-pedicle formation from invagination of the appendiceal wall were considered unlikely, a standard polypectomy (without an endoloop) was performed safely. Histologically, this proved to be an adenomatous polyp. This is so far the only reported case of endoscopic removal of an adenomas polyp originating from the appendix.

Endoscopists performing colonoscopy should examine the appendiceal orifice carefully during all colonoscopic examinations, especially if other polyps have been seen in the colon. Should a polyp be identified in the appendiceal orifice it should removed endoscopically. If endoscopic removal is considered unsafe for any reason. then laparoscopic appendectomy is recommended as adenomas of the appendix may have a similar prognostic significance to adenomas elsewhere in the large bowel^[8].

References

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