Colon
Polyps
Inflammatory cap polyp
Author: Shilpa Jain, M.D.
Last author update: 1 August 2011
Last staff update: 9 October 2024
Copyright: 2003-2025, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Inflammatory Cap polyp
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Treatment | Gross description | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Jain S. Inflammatory cap polyp. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/colontumorcappolyposis.html. Accessed April 3rd, 2025.
Definition / general
- First described in an abstract in 1985 (Br J Surg 1985; 72 (Suppl) S133)
- Rare
- Etiology unknown, but may be associated with mucosal prolapse (Gut 1993;34:562)
- Often presents with mucoid or bloody diarrhea and hypoproteinemia
- Endoscopy: multiple sessile rectosigmoid polyps with adherent white flecks with normal intervening mucosa (Endoscopy 2001;33:262)
Treatment
- Traditionally polypectomy or partial colectomy (Dis Colon Rectum 2004;47:1208)
- Also medical treatment in patients with H. pylori gastritis (Helicobacter 2004;9:651) and using infliximab, an antibody to tumor necrosis alpha (Gastroenterology 2004;126:1868)
Gross description
- Multiple, distinctive, inflammatory rectosigmoid polyps
Gross images
Images hosted on other servers:
Multiple colonic polyps
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Inflamed mucosa with tortuous, elongated crypts attenuated towards the mucosal surface with abundant inflammation in the lamina propria and characteristic "cap" of inflamed and ulcerated granulation tissue on the mucosal surface
Microscopic (histologic) images
Contributed by Andrea L. Wiens, D.O. and Janet E. Roepke, M.D., Ph.D.
Inflammatory polyp of colon secondary to mucosal prolapse
Differential diagnosis
- Amebic colitis
- Antibiotic associated colitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
