Idiopathic enterocolic lymphocytic phlebitis: A rare cause of ischemic colitis

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.