Inflammatory fibroid polyps of the gastrointestinal tract

Inflammatory fibroid polyps of the gastrointestinal tract represent a relat ively rare entity. Although the histopathological classification, the etiol ogy and the pathogenesis of this lesion remains unclear, the biological dig nity is commonly understood as benign. Nevertheless, these polyps are able to cause gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction or intussuscepti on which often provides the indication for surgical treatment. In endoscopi cal biopsies unexpected difficulties for the pathologist may arise from the fact that these uncommon lesions often show a submucosal growth pattern. W ith reference to two case reports, the clinical, diagnostic and histopathol ogical aspects of inflammatory fibroid polyps will be discussed. An additio nal literature review of the etiology, immunhistochemistry and differential diagnosis is presented.