Fate and ultra-structural features of chicken skin mucosa around juvenile polyps

Objective : Chicken skin mucosa (CSM) is a common finding around juvenile polyps in children. Its ultrastructural features and fate after polypectomy are not yet clear. The aim was to study ultra-structural features and outcome of this CSM compared to that of the polyps and distant endoscopically normal mucosa. Material and Methods : From 240 children with juvenile polyps, 45 needed a second colonoscopy. Thirty six patients showing CSM represented the cohort of this study. One polyp only was studied in each patient. The histologic features of the CSM were compared to normal and polyp mucosa. The fate of CSM was evaluated in the second colonoscopy. Results : The mean numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes, as well as lamina propria inflammatory cellular infiltrates were significantly higher in polyp mucosa than in CSM. Goblet cells were significantly higher in CSM compared to normal mucosa with marked depletion in the polyp mucosa. The muscularis mucosae thickness was significantly higher in CSM compared to polyps (p<0.0001) and both showed higher values than the normal mucosa. The CSM almost disappeared within a month period following polypectomy. Conclusions : The polyp showed the most intense mucosal inflammatory reaction. CSM with the unique thickening of muscu- laris mucosae especially around larger polyps almost disappeared after polypectomy. So these results suggest that CSM is a benign compensatory reaction induced by the mechanical effect of the polyp. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2011, 74, 17-21).