Incidental Ascending Colon Ganglioneuroma in the Setting of Hematochezia

Cureus. 2020 Jul 28;12(7):e9447. doi: 10.7759/cureus.9447.

Abstract

Ganglioneuromas are slow-growing hamartomatous tumors that are rarely found in the colon. There are three subtypes of ganglioneuromas: polypoid ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuromatous polyposis, and diffuse ganglioneuromatosis. They are differentiated depending on their endoscopic and histological characteristics. Patients with colonic ganglioneuroma may present with nonspecific symptoms; however, they are usually asymptomatic. We present a case of hematochezia, where an ascending colon ganglioneuroma was found incidentally on diagnostic colonoscopy. We will explain how to distinguish the three subtypes of ganglioneuroma on colonoscopy and will mention the genetic disorders associated with them. We will also discuss the treatment of ganglioneuromas.

Keywords: ganglioneuroma; hematochezia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports