A Case of Nonfamilial Generalized Gastrointestinal Juvenile Polyposis with Pancytopenia

ABSTRACT

In contrast to the child with a solitary juvenile polyp, generalized gastrointestinal juvenile polyposis have a much different clinical course. In generalized juvenile polyposis blood loss can be considerable and iron-deficiency anemia is a common observation. Although it is usually regarded as a benign condition, juvenile polyposis may predispose to cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. We experienced a case of nonfamilial generalized gastrointestinal juvenile polyposis with pancytopenia in a 15 year-old male patient who had hospitalized because of intermittent rectal bleeding with anemia for three years. Histological examination of polyps from affected patient revealed a spectrum of change from juvenile polyps, to juvenile polyps with adenomatous changes. Subtotal colectomy, rectal mucosectomy, and endorectal pull-through procedure were successfully performed. No complication has occured since the discharge. A brief review of related literatures is also presented.