Safe endoscopic treatment of large colonic lipomas using endoscopic looping technique.

PURPOSE

Colonic lipomas are benign, submucosal tumours that are usually asymptomatic. Typically, they are incidentally diagnosed during colonoscopy. Due to a low prevalence, the natural history of lipomas remains largely unknown. While large (>2 cm) lesions can cause symptoms and complications, their endoscopic treatment is not routinely recommended because of prior reports of a high rate of perforation.

METHODS

We used a standardized technique of polypectomy, using endoscopic looping to resect large colonic lipomas in 8 patients and followed their clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean lipoma size was 3.8+/-1.2 cm (range 2.5-6 cm). No patient developed bleeding or perforation. On follow-up (mean=13.5 months, range 2-29), there was one small residual lesion.

CONCLUSION

Colonic lipomas larger than 2 cm can be safely and efficaciously removed using endoloop assisted polypectomy technique.