Multiple Intestinal Lipomatosis

 

Features:

(1) There are numerous benign polypoid lipomas (can be over a hundred) in the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract.

(2) These can range in size from small to large.

(3) The lipomas may be limited to a certain segment or found anywhere along the tract.

(3) There is a variable presence of lipomas in other organs.

 

The patient may be asymptomatic, present with recurrent abdominal discomfort or can have a complication.

 

Complications:

(1) mechanical obstruction due to size

(2) volvulus

(3) intussusception

 

The fatty nature of the polyps should be detectable on imaging studies.

(1) The water enema uses water as the contrast agent and can help to demonstrate the low density of the fat.

(2) On a barium enema the lipomas fluctuate in shape and size ("squueze sign").