Juvenile polyposis coli.

A FEW decades ago intestinal polyposis was regarded as a single entity, but increasing knowledge has led to the identification of a number of different syndromes. The term polyposis coli is usually taken to mean familial adenomatosis coli, a premalignant condition occurring in adolescents and adults. Although there have been many reports of colonic polyposis in children, discussions on the subject have been confused because of the failure, until recently, to distinguish between the adenomatous polyp and the juvenile polyp. The commonest type of polyp in children is the juvenile or retention polyp which is present usually as a solitary lesion, but occasionally such polyps are multiple in the colonic mucosa and the term juvenile polyposis coli is used (Veale et al 1966). This is a rare condition: only six cases have been seen at St. Mark's Hospital, London, in contrast to 140 cases of familial adenomatosis coli (Lockhart-Mummery 1967). Nevertheless its recognition is important since it differs from adenomatosis coli in its aetiology, clinical presentation, pathology and prognosis. We wish to present a patient with juvenile polyposis coli and an associated congenital cardiac lesion. Case Report