Inflammatory polyposis in an ileal blind loop.

A case of inflammatory polyposis of the ileum after ileosigmoid anastomosis is reported. Two features are noteworthy. First, the polyps were localized in a blind ileal loop. Second, while rare ileal inflammatory polyps related to enteroenteric anastomosis have been reported, to our knowledge this is the first instance of approximately 50 polyps to be described at such a site. The etiology of these lesions is unknown but may be related to fecal irritation, stasis, bacterial overgrowth, or bacterial toxin. These polyps may ulcerate and bleed, causing iron deficiency anemia, and they must be distinguished from neoplastic polyps. Since side-to-side and end-to-side anastomoses have become more common with use of the surgical stapler, inflammatory polyps may be encountered more frequently.