Colonic ganglioneuroma.

Ganglioneuromas are neuroectodermal tumors that are found in diverse anatomic sites, but they are very uncommon in the colon. We observed a patient with partial colonic obstruction whose roentgenogram had a napkin-ring construction that was thought to be carcinoma. On resection, pathologic examination showed a ganglioneuroma. Mesenchymal neoplasms of various histologic types occur thoughout the gastrointestinal tract. Neurogenic tumors are not uncommon in Von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis and multiple mucosal neuroma syndrome, but solitary lesions unassociated with these conditions are rare. To our knowledge, this complication in the colon is only the second such reported case. We believe that this case is noteworthy because of its clinical and roentgenographic resemblance to carcinoma.