Lipoma arises from adipocytes. Lipomas are benign, slow growing tumors, and are generally found in subcutaneous tissue of the proximal extremities and trunk. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an uncommon localization for lipoma, but if found; their most common localization is the colon. We report a case of lipoma located in small intestine in a patient presenting with perforation peritonitis.

Intestinal Lipoma: A Rare Cause of Perforation Peritonitis -

Symptomatic colonic lipomas, although unusual, continue to present difficulties in the preoperative differential diagnosis between malignant and benign colonic neoplasm. Although new imaging techniques are available, they are frequently diagnosed at laparotomy, and definitive histology is required. Local excision is adequate treatment, but segmental excision may be necessary when there is doubt about the diagnosis, or when a complication occurs.

Additional excerpts

Symptomatic colonic lipoma : differential diagnosis of large bowel tumors

A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for investigation of upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Ultrasonography (US) showed a hyperechoic mass in the right lower abdomen, and computed tomography (CT) showed a low-density mass and intestinal invagination. Thus, we made a diagnosis of intestinal lipoma with intussusception and performed laparoscopic partial resection of the ileum, including the tumor. The resected specimen contained a round tumor, 25 × 22 × 20 mm, which was identified as an intestinal lipoma histopathologically. Our experience supports earlier reports that US and CT are effective tools in the diagnosis of bowel lipoma. Laparoscopic surgery is the treatment of choice for benign tumors of the small intestine because it is minimally invasive, with cosmetic, physical, and economic benefits.

Laparoscopic resection of an ileal lipoma: Report of a case.

Lipomas occur through the intestinal tract, from the hypopharynx to the rectum, the colon having the highest incidence, where lipomata are the commonest benign neoplasm after adenomata. Nevertheless they are uncommon. CASE REPORT. 1) A 68-year-old man presented as an emergency with abdominal pain associated with bowel obstruction. He had a 2 to 3 month history of intermittent right-sided abdominal pain, constipation spontaneously resolved. At laparotomy there was a mass of the transverse colon, next hepatic flexure. A right hemicolectomy was performed. The patient made an uneventful recovery. Histologic examination showed a lipoma of the submucosal plane. 2) A 65-year-old man presented as an emergency with lower abdominal pain associated with a prolapsed rectal polyp. He had 1 month history of passing fresh blood per rectum. Ap ast colonoscopy revealed a large polypoid lesion in the descending colon. Transanal examination revealed a polypoid lesion with a maximum diameter of 4 cm, acting as an intussuseptum. Transanal polypectomy was performed. At laparotomy there was an intussuseptum of the descending colon into the rectum: a left hemicolectomy was performed. Histology showed the polyp to be a submucosal lipoma. DISCUSSION. Lipomas are the most common benign nonepithelial tumors of the colon. Lipomata of the large bowel are reported as incidental findings in 0.3-0.5% of cases in large series of autopsies. In the wall of the intestine most lie in the submucosal plane, less frequently they are found in the subserosal plane. The commonest site for symptomatic solitary large bowel lipoma is the ascending colon, including the caecum, followed by the transverse colon, including both hepatic and splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. The peak incidence for lipomata of the large bowel is in fifth-sixth decade. Colonic lipomas are generally asymptomatic but occasionally patients may have intermittent crampy abdominal pain secondary to intussusception of a pedunculated lipoma or with intermittent fresh rectal bleeding. On barium enema lipomas appear circular, ovoid, well demarcated, and smooth. A barium enema showing a relatively radiolucent mass, caused by the radiolucency of fat, is suggestive of a lipoma. The water enema, with water as the contrast agent, accentuates the difference in density between a lipoma and surrounding tissues. Another characteristic feature of lipomas on barium enema is said to be their fluctuation in size and shape during the study: "squeeze sign". Lipomas of the large bowel can be seen, however, by colonoscopy. On computerized tomography scan the lipoma has a uniform appearance and density. In expert hands pedunculated and sessile lesions can be removed endoscopically, but often large bowel lipomata are treated on the basis of a presumptive malignant diagnosis with exploratory laparotomy. CONCLUSION. Colonic lipomas, although unusual, continue to present difficulties in the preoperative differentiation between malignant and benign colonic neoplasm. Two cases of colonic lipomas are reported.

Intestinal occlusion due to a colonic lipoma. Apropos 2 cases

A 52-year-old female was referred because of melaena. After initital work-up, including gastroduodenoscopy, endosonography and CT scan, a duodenotomy was performed. Definite diagnosis was a duodenal lipoma based on histological findings. Lipomas of the gastrointestinal tract are rare. Only 4% occur in the duodenum. The peak incidence is around the 5th and 7th decade of life, with a slight female preponderance. Gastrointestinal lipomas are usually asymptomatic, but can present with mild to severe gastrointestinal bleeding, intussusceptions, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. Clinical, endoscopical, surgical, and radiological features are described in this case of duodenal lipoma.

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Duodenal Lipoma as a Rare Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Introduction: The occurrence of intussusception in adults is rare. The condition is found in 1 in 1300 abdominal operations and 1 in 100 patients operated for intestinal obstruction. The child to adult ratio is 20:1. Case presentation: A 52-year-old Irish Caucasian woman was investigated for a 3-month history of intermittent episodes of colicky midgut pain and associated constipation. Ileocolonoscopy revealed a pedunculated lesion in the terminal ileum prolapsing into the caecum. Computed tomography confirmed a smooth-walled, nonobstructing, low density intramural lesion in the terminal ileum with secondary intussusception. A laparoscopic small bowel resection was performed. Histology revealed a large pedunculated polypoidal mass measuring 4 × 2.5 × 2 cm consistent with a submucosal lipoma. She had complete resolution of her symptoms and remained well at 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: This case highlights an unusual cause of incomplete small bowel obstruction successfully treated through interdisciplinary cooperation. Ileal lipomas are not typically amenable to endoscopic removal and require resection. This can be successfully achieved via a laparoscopic approach with early restoration of premorbid functioning.

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Intestinal Lipoma: A Rare Cause of Perforation Peritonitis -

References

Symptomatic colonic lipoma : differential diagnosis of large bowel tumors

Laparoscopic resection of an ileal lipoma: Report of a case.

Intestinal occlusion due to a colonic lipoma. Apropos 2 cases

Duodenal Lipoma as a Rare Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Midgut pain due to an intussuscepting terminal ileal lipoma: a case report