Dynamic enhanced computed tomography imaging findings of an inflammatory fibroid polyp with massive fibrosis in the stomach

Abstract

Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) is a rare benign lesion of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of computed tomography (CT) imaging finding of a gastric IFP with massive fibrosis. CT scans showed thickening of submucosal layer with overlying mucosal hyperenhancement in the gastric antrum. The submucosal layer showed increased enhancement on delayed phase imaging. An antrectomy with gastroduodenostomy was performed because gastric cancer was suspected, particularly signet ring cell carcinoma. The histopathological diagnosis was an IFP with massive fibrosis. The authors suggest that when the submucosal layer of the gastric wall is markedly thickened with delayed enhancement and preservation of the mucosal layer, an IFP with massive fibrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Keywords: Inflammatory fibroid polyp; Gastric polyp; Gastric submucosal tumor; Signet ring cell carcinoma; Computed tomography imaging finding

Core tip: In our case, computed tomography imaging findings of markedly thickened submucosal layer with delayed enhancement made inflammatory fibroid polyp difficult to differentiate from malignant cancer, particularly signet ring cell carcinoma.