GASTROINTESTINAL LYMPHONODULAR HYPERPLASIA AND LYMPHOID POLYPS OF THERECTUM - A RARE COINCIDENCE

Lymphoid polyps of the rectum are rare lesions. We report on an 8 1/2- year-old boy, who presented with hematochezia and abdominal pain. Flex ible endoscopy revealed large sessile polyps of the rectum and lymphon odular hyperplasia of the duodenum, terminal ileum and descending colo n. One rectal polyp was excised in tote, microscopically it revealed t he typical features of a lymphoid polyp. Based on the distinct follicu lar architecture, the cytomorphology and tile immunohistochemical find ings of the lymphatic infiltrate we were able to distinguish this lesi on from malignant lymphoma. The coincidence of lymphoid polyps and gas trointestinal lymphonodular hyperplasia gives evidence that both entit ies are different variations of the same benign lymphoproliferative pr ocess. Lymphoid polyps of the rectum should be treated by local excisi on for diagnostic purposes. Immunohistochemical staining of fresh, non fixed tissue is a useful ancillary technique distinguishing these beni gn lesions from lymphoma of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT-ly mphoma).