Vanek's polyp or inflammatory fibroid polyp. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Intussusception in an adult must make us suspect the presence of a tumor (benign or potentially dangerous) as the most frequent cause. Accurate diagnosis is of great importance in order to provide appropriate treatment and improve patient prognosis.

Clinical case: We report the case of a 42-year-old male with abdominal pain. We performed a CT and found a small bowel intussusception. Definitive diagnosis according to the surgical specimen was inflammatory fibroid polyp (Vanek's polyp).

Conclusions: Vanek's polyp is a benign lesion that occurs most frequently in the stomach and secondarily in the small bowel. Generally, it is uncommon, and its etiology is not completely known. Accurate diagnosis is done with immunohistochemistry. Because of the consequences that depend on the size and location of the lesion, it may be considered a malignant lesion. Treatment is resection.