Inflammatory fibroid polyp of the small intestine presenting as small bowel obstruction with intussusception: a case report

Inflammatory fibroid polyps (IFP) are rare benign neoplasms most commonly occurring within the respiratory tract but are rarely also observed in the gastro-intestinal tract. Herein we present the case of a 73-year-old female presenting with ileo-ileal intussusception secondary to IFP. The patient was treated with emergency laparotomy with segmental bowel resection and primary anastomosis. Histopathological analysis of the excised bowel segment initially revealed a low-grade, mural based spindle cell neoplasm with surrounding benign, reactive lymphadenopathy. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the lesional cells stained positive for Vimentin, Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA), and CD34. On secondary analysis of the specimen, the morphology and immunohistochemical profile of the mass was in keeping with IFP. No invasive malignancy was identified. Such cases have been previously reported under the pseudonym 'the great mimicker', due to their striking similarity to malignant processes. This case report aims to add to the small body of research reporting such atypical presentations.