Colonic polyps: a rare clinical manifestation of schistosomiasis: a case report

Schistosomal (bilharzial) polyps: Travel through the colon and beyond

“…However, no part of the colon is immune against development of S. polyps. The polyps were described in all parts of the colon mainly in the rectosigmoid[ 12 ], but also were described in the caecum[ 13 ], ileocaecal valve[ 14 ], appendix[ 15 ], ascending colon[ 16 ], transverse colon[ 17 ] as well as the descending colon[ 12 ], some reports documented the distribution of S. polyps all through the large bowel starting from the caecum up to the anus during the course of heavy infestations in endemic areas[ 18 ].…”

“…Schistosomiasis in the endemic areas, is associated with development of multiple polyps and multiplicity correlates with the density of infection[ 3 , 18 ]. However, there are many reports that Schistosomiasis can manifest by single colon polyp discovered either incidentally during colonoscopy or complicated[ 13 , 16 , 19 ] even without any clinical manifestations suggestive of Schistosomal infection.…”

“…We reported earlier[ 20 ] that, no part of the colon was immune against development of large S. polyps. Many cases presented with solitary S. polyps[ 13 , 16 , 19 , 21 ] even in absence of any Schistosomiasis-related colon inflammation[ 9 , 13 , 16 , 19 , 21 ].…”

“…S. polyps are exceptional types of polyps that can regress with medical treatment[ 11 ] especially when they are small and are not associated with manifestations necessitating excision. All cases associated with large or ectopic polyps after being excised either endoscopically or surgically were followed by treatment with PZQ irrespective of the patients' active intestinal or urinary Schistosomiasis state[ 9 , 13 , 19 , 34 ].…”

“…S. polyps were excised with different techniques including cold snare for small polyps, standard direct hot polypectomy for larger polyps whatever the site is the duodenum[ 9 ], or the colon[ 3 ]. Hot polypectomy after application of endoloop[ 52 ], or clips[ 13 ] has been associated with good outcomes. While advanced endoscopic resection techniques including endoscopic mucosal resection[ 21 , 22 ] and endoscopic submucosal dissection[ 53 ] were also used for endoscopic removal of large S. polyps.…”