We report on a 74-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital
because of abdominal pain. She underwent a colonoscopy and a stenosing mass
was found in the cecum. Histologic findings in the biopsy specimens were c
onsistent with ischemic colitis. Due to clinical symptoms and the endoscopi
c and radiologic findings that roused the suspicion that the patient was su
ffering from a malignant tumor, a right hemicolectomy was performed. Histol
ogy of the resection specimen disclosed an inflammation of the veins. It wa
s characterized by a predominantly lymphocytic Infiltration of the vessels
affecting the veins of the colonic wall and the mesentery. Furthermore, sec
ondary thrombosis with focal venous occlusion was observed. The colon showe
d extensive ischemic colitis with focal transmural coagulation necrosis. Th
e disease was considered to be idiopathic lymphocytic phlebitis, which is a
rare disease of unknown origin. Our patient is well and alive after more t
han 1 year, supporting the notion that the disease shows a benign course af
ter surgery.