Abstract

Gastrointestinal cavernous hemangiomas are rare, with an incidence of about 1 per 15,000 persons and the second most common vascular lesions of the colon. They are generally congenital, with their origin in embryologic sequestrations of mesodermal tissue. Enlargement occurs by projection of budding endothelial cells. These lesions are a significant cause of rectal bleeding with anemia, obstruction and rarely platelet sequestration, although approximately 10% of patients remain asymptomatic. On endoscopy, cavernous hemangiomas characteristically present as deep violet-blue nodular, compressible lesions that are associated with mucosal congestion and edema. Unfortunately chronic inflammatory changes often mask findings that could lead to proper diagnosis. The results of several kinds of treatment have not been satisfactory, although abdominoperineal resection is the most often recommended procedure. We report a case of relatively huge cavernous hemangioma of the colon that developed in an old aged patient with intermittent hematochezia. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2004;28:47⁣51)

• Keywords: Cavernous hemangioma, Colon, Rectum