Juvenile Polyp : Clinical & Gross
Image Description
Introduction: Juvenile (retention) polyps are hamartomatous lesions that result from malformed epithelium and lamina propria. They may be seen both in sporadic as well as syndromic settings. They are most frequently seen in children between 1 and 7 years of age. They are uncommon before the age of one year. About one-third of cases occur in adults.
Clinical Presentation: Sporadic juvenile polyps are usually located in the rectum but they may also be seen in sigmoid colon. They can prolapse during defecation or slough off and pass out per rectum (autoamputation). Bleeding is common due to their rich vascularity. Intestinal obstruction and intussusception are other complications.
Gross Appearance: Juvenile polyps range in size from a few mm to 3 cm. They are usually pedunculated, reddish-brown lesions with a granular surface. Cystic spaces are characteristically seen on cut surface.
Image courtesy of Dr. Jean-Christophe Fournet, Paris, France; humpath.com; Used with permission
Clinical Presentation: Sporadic juvenile polyps are usually located in the rectum but they may also be seen in sigmoid colon. They can prolapse during defecation or slough off and pass out per rectum (autoamputation). Bleeding is common due to their rich vascularity. Intestinal obstruction and intussusception are other complications.
Gross Appearance: Juvenile polyps range in size from a few mm to 3 cm. They are usually pedunculated, reddish-brown lesions with a granular surface. Cystic spaces are characteristically seen on cut surface.
Image courtesy of Dr. Jean-Christophe Fournet, Paris, France; humpath.com; Used with permission