Unroofing Technique as an Option for the Endoscopic Treatment of Giant Gastrointestinal Lipomas

Colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection for a large symptomatic colonic lipoma

A colonic lipoma is an uncommon lesion that is linked with clinical symptoms in only a small portion of patients. Patients with large lipomas are often referred for major surgery, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this case, we described a female patient with recurrent episodes of gastrointestinal blood loss, abdominal pain and colocolic intussusceptions due to a large, lumen-filling, obstructive lipoma in the splenic flexure. On abdominal CT, a lesion of 3.6 cm was visualised with a fat-like density without solid components. Considering its benign nature, we intended to preserve the colon by deroofing the upper part of the lesion and then performing a colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection. During reassessment, auto-amputation of part of the lesion was observed, most likely as a result of long-lasting mechanical effects, which made it possible to perform solely a wedge resection with an excellent outcome.

Observation of the drainage process of the residual lipoma after endoscopic unroofing technique during colonoscopic evaluation of post-procedural hematochezia

A 57-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further management of a subepithelial lesion noted on colonoscopy. He underwent endoscopic treatment of unroofing technique, in which the protruding portion of the tumor was partially resected. Due to a small amount of hematochezia, colonoscopy was performed to re-evaluate the lesion post-treatment. This enabled the observation of the drainage process of the residual lipoma. Remission was achieved and confirmed 8 months after the treatment. Endoscopic unroofing technique has been reported as a safe and effective method of treating lipomas, particularly large ones. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first endoscopic unroofing case in which the drainage process of the residual lipoma was observed and the remission of the lesion was confirmed.

An Atypical Presentation of a Colonic Lipoma: Avoiding Surgery with a Deeper Endoscopic Look

INTRODUCTION

Colonic lipomas are common mesenchymal tumours. They are usually asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed during endoscopic or radiological examinations. Taking into account their typical endoscopic and radiological features and benign nature, tissue sampling, resection or follow-up are generally not required.

CASE REPORT

A 61-year-old woman with poor surgical fitness presented with colonic subocclusion and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. A colonoscopy performed 1 month earlier showed a large polypoid lesion with necrotic and ulcerated areas occupying the lumen of the proximal ascending colon with inconclusive histology. An abdominopelvic computed tomography scan with intravenous contrast was done revealing a cecal-colonic intussusception of a heterogeneous mass. The patient was successfully managed conservatively. A delayed revision colonoscopy showed a significantly smaller atypical subepithelial lesion with no necrosis or ulceration. A single, large and deep incision with a pre-cut needle-knife® allowed the direct collection of lesion tissue using standard biopsy forceps through the so-called single-incision needle-knife® (SINK) biopsy technique. Histological examination was compatible with submucosal lipoma. After 18 months of follow-up, the patient remains asymptomatic.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Colonic lipoma complications are rare and can lead to misdiagnosis; in general, they are surgically managed. A conservative approach and a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure allowed a definite diagnosis avoiding the morbidity and mortality of a major surgical intervention in a high-risk patient.

Two Patients with Large Colonic Lipomas for which Endoscopic Unroofing was Ineffective

Endoscopic unroofing is effective for treating large colonic lipomas. However, additional endoscopic resection is occasionally required when the outcomes of initial unroofing are incomplete. The colonoscopy of an 82-year-old woman with abdominal pain revealed a yellowish lipoma of about 20 mm in the transverse colon. The mass was treated by unroofing, but a follow-up colonoscopy 5 days later revealed residual lipoma. One month later, the regenerated surface had become covered with mucosa, and the status of the lipoma had returned to that before unroofing. The colonoscopy of a 74-year-old man with abdominal pain and melena revealed a 50-mm-wide protruding lipoma in the transverse colon. The mucosa of the upper third of the lipoma was excised using an electric knife and snare, which allowed the immediate partial drainage of adipose tissue. Unroofing proceeded, but 7 days later, the unroofed surface had become coated with a white substance, and the residual lipoma required additional endoscopic resection. Colonic lipomas are often asymptomatic. However, patients with abdominal pain and hemorrhage should be treated in consideration of complete resection, but not by unroofing, which could leave a residual tumor. Drainage should be confirmed after unroofing and any residual lipoma should be treated by additional resection.