Underwater endoscopic submucosal dissection of an obstructing giant colonic lipoma

Gastrointestinal (GI) lipomas are rare (0.2 % – 4.4 % of benign GI subepithelial tumors) and usually asymptomatic. Giant colonic lipomas (> 4 cm) may cause symptoms such as bleeding or intestinal occlusion and surgical resection is considered the treatment of choice [1] [2]. With the development of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), we have been able to resect larger tumors. We report a case of a large colonic lipoma treated by ESD.

A 63-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted in our Emergency Department for symptoms of subocclusion. A computed tomography (CT) scan of her abdomen showed a large mass located in the left colon ([Fig. 1]). Endoscopic examination confirmed this to be a soft yellowish submucosal tumor, with a short and wide pedicle, in the distal sigmoid colon. The pedicle was partially overlaid by hyperplastic mucosa, probably as a result of the repair of tissue damage from traction and twisting of the limited peduncle due to peristalsis.

Fig. 1 Computed tomography scan image showing a mass located in the left colon.

We decided to resect the lesion using underwater ESD. The technical aspects of our endoscopic procedure were as follows. The first step was to ensure there was an adequate submucosal cushion using a mixture of Voluven as the fluid solution, along with a small amount of indigo carmine and epinephrine. The next step was to incise the mucosa around the pedicle and dissect the submucosal tissue under the lipoma from the anal side. This was done using an IT knife and a DualKnife nano (both Olympus), and an ST Hood short type (Fujifilm) was attached to the tip of the scope during the procedure.

After a procedure lasting 2 hours, an en bloc resection was obtained and the giant lipoma was removed from the colon with a foreign body forceps ([Video 1]). The specimen was 8 cm × 5 cm in size. No minor or major complications occurred and the patient was discharged after 2 days of clinical observation. Histologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a lipoma.

Video 1 A large submucosal tumor in the sigmoid colon that was resected by underwater endoscopic submucosal resection.

To the best of our knowledge, this clinical case represents the first large symptomatic sigmoid colon lipoma treated by ESD to be reported in the literature. ESD, which requires a highly experienced operator, could be a safe alternative to surgical resection in selected cases when giant lipomas are complicated by intussusception or bowel obstruction.

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Competing interests

None

• References

• 1 Lorenzo D, Gonzalez JM, Benezech A. et al. Endoscopic resection of giant GI lipoma: a case series. VideoGIE 2016; 1: 43-46
• 2 Nallamothu G, Adler DG. Large colonic lipomas. Gastroenterol Hepatol 2011; 7: 490-492