Intestinal Submucosal Lipomas

Background: Gastrointestinal tract is uncommon localization for lipomas, but if present they are 90% submucosal and 10% subserosal. Intestinal submucosal lipomas are the most common benign nonepithelial intestinal tumors usually found incidentally. Rarely, they may cause obstruction, ulceration, perforation, intussusceptions, prolapse and massive hemorrhage. Methods: Fourty cases of intestinal submucosal lipomas were analyzed using 1. clinical symptoms, 2. imaging characteristics, 3. histopathological parameters. Twenty eight patients were treated with surgical intestinal resection because of intussusceptions, intestinal obstruction and intestinal bleeding and twelve patients underwent local tumor resection.Results: Forty percents of patients were in 7th decade, 30% in 8th and 30% in the sixth decade. The male/ female ratio was 1:1. Colonic sumbucosal lipomas were found in 60% of cases, duodenal in 30% and jejunal in 10%. Forty percents of them were diagnosed in association with carcinomas, 20% with polypoid adenomas, 30% caused inflammation and ulcerations and 10% intussusceptions. Most of the tumors were asymptomatic.Conclusion: Colon and duodenum are the most frequent locations of intestinal submucosal lipomas. They are rare tumors usually found incidentally in association with carcinomas and polypoid adenomas. The correct diagnosis of a symptomatic, submucosal lipoma indicates a local excision, and eliminates possible complications and an unnecessary extensive resection.