[Inverse polypoid hamartoma of the rectum with colonic extension of the lesions and deep cystic colitis with rectal involvement. Apropos of an anatomo-clinical case report].

The authors report the case of a 38 year old man, presenting with an inverted polypoid hamartoma (IPH) of the rectum, associated with similar colonic localizations and they show the resemblance of these lesions to the colitis cystica profunda (CCP) with involvement of the entire large bowel and eventually the rectum. In fact, moreover, the symptoms, the digital rectal examination and the endoscopic, radiological and pathological data are similar but, in the reported cases, the IPH always included at least one rectal localization whereas the CCP might not show rectal lesion. Advanced lesions of rectal IPH may be confused, by endoscopy and pathology with adenomas or adenocarcinomas. Consequently it is essential to perform large and deep biopsies for histological diagnosis. The IPH and the CCP are benign diseases but "recurrence" may be observed in case of incomplete removal. The removal has to be adequate but not mutilating, either by surgery or by laser endoscopic photoablation. The choice of the procedure will depend upon the size of the lesion.