INFLAMMATORY FIBROID POLYP OF PROXIMAL ILEUM CAUSING RECURRENT INTUSSUSCEPTION

SUMMARY A 64-year-old female presented with episodes of small bowel obstruction. Ultrasound and barium meal showed a polypoidal lesion in the proximal segment of small bowel. The patient underwent emergency surgery because of signs of impending acute intestinal obstruction. Pathology showed characteristic features of an inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) which is an important though rare benign cause of small bowel obstruction. We document clinical and pathological aspects of this case.     

Haemophagocytosis in early congenital syphilis

A previously healthy male infant developed hepatosplenomegaly, severe anaemia and thrombocytopenia 5 weeks after birth. Marked haemophagocytosis was present in the bone marrow. A typical maculopapular rash suggested early congenital syphilis. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology and by the presence of untreated syphilis in both parents. Conclusion Syphilis needs to be excluded in infants suspected of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Received: 8 April 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 2 November 1998