Polypoid Ganglioneuromatosis of the Large Bowel

Abstract
Differentiated ganglioneuromas are benign tumors composed of ganglion cells, nerve fibers, and schwannian sheath elements. They are relatively uncommon and usually solitary and are found anywhere in the body where sympathetic ganglia are located. They occur most frequently in the paravertebral sympathetic chain of the thorax and abdomen. Clinical symptoms are dependent upon size and location of the tumor.10,11 Although the gastrointestinal tract is an extremely rare site for ganglioneuromas, single or multiple regions from the stomach to the rectosigmoid may be involved. In 1956, Dahl and his associates2 reported a case of ganglioneuroma in the duodenum, and their review of the literature included 11 additional cases involving various segments of the alimentary tract.1,3,5-9 Since that time one additional case has been reported.4 We have recently studied a case in which widespread involvement of the gastrointestinal tract by multiple ganglioneuromas appears to have occurred. The wide