Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2008 Apr;36(4):242-247.

A Case of Giant Colonic Lipoma Endoscopically Removed Using an Unroofing Technique in Phases

• Shin YK
• Kim EY
• Jeon SW
• Huh CJ
• Kim BS
• Shin JU
• Jung JT
• Kwon JG
• Cho CH

Abstract

Gastrointestinal lipomas are benign adipose tumors that are usually submucosal, and most commonly found in the colon. However, they have also been discovered in the small bowel, stomach and very rarely in the esophagus. Although most of gastrointestinal lipomas are asymptomatic and are found incidentally at time of endoscopy, surgery or autopsy, large lipomas can cause acute abdominal pain, bowel habit changes, gastrointestinal bleeding, intussusception or bowel obstruction. Lipomas can be diagnosed by colonoscopy, abdominal CT, barium series and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Large lipomas need to be treated using various techniques. However, the best treatment modality for large lipomas has not yet been established. A surgical resection of lipomas should be considered for a giant lipoma >2 cm in diameter due to the risk of perforation or hemorrhage. Currently, endoscopic snare polypectomy or endo-loop ligation is used to treat symptomatic lipomas, which may reduce the risk of complications associated with endoscopic treatment. We report a case of giant colonic lipoma that was diagnosed successfully with EUS and treated safely using an endoscopic unroofing technique, endoloop ligation and snare polypectomy in phases.

Keyword

Colonic giant lipoma; Unroofing technique; Endoscopic resection

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Autopsy
Barium
Colon
Colonoscopy
Endoscopy
Endosonography
Esophagus
Hemorrhage
Intussusception
Ligation
Lipoma
SNARE Proteins
Stomach
Barium
SNARE Proteins