LIPOHYPERPLASIA AND LIPOMA OF THE ILEOCECAL VALVE

Abstract

Endoscopic findings and computed tomography (CT) images in three cases with lipohyperplasia and one case with lipoma of the ileocecal valve were studied. Typical colonoscopic finding of lipohyperplasia is a symmetrical enlargement of the ileocecal valve, whereas lipoma is observed as a localized submucosal tumor. Diagnoses of these conditions were possible by characteristic colonoscopic findings and histologically shown submucosal adipose tissue. However, it is offes difficult to obtein submucosal tissue by endoscopic biopsy. CT scan after distending the colonic lumen by water or olive oil is a useful technique for evaluating and confirming the fatty density of the tumor or the enlarged ileocecal valve. For the patients with lipohyperplasia and lipoma, clinical follow-up was sufficient without surgical intervention when they had no severe ileocecal valve syndrome such as right-sided abdominal pain or tenderness.