Cystica profunda is a rare disease of the gut lining. It is characterized by formation of

mucin Mucins () are a family of high molecular weight, heavily glycosylated proteins ( glycoconjugates) produced by epithelial tissues in most animals. Mucins' key characteristic is their ability to form gels; therefore they are a key component in ...

cyst A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct envelope and division compared with the nearby tissue. Hence, it is a cluster of cells that have grouped together to form a sac (like the manner in which water molecules group together to form a bubb ...

s in the muscle layers of the gut lining, and it can occur anywhere along the

gastrointestinal tract The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the Digestion, digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The tract is the largest of the body's systems, after the cardiovascula ...

. When the condition occurs in the stomach, it may be termed gastritis cystica profunda, and in the small intestine, enteritis cystica profunda. When it occurs in the colon, it is termed colitis cystica profunda. Colitis cystica profunda is benign, but it may mimic a tumor. When it occurs in the rectum it may be termed colitis cystica profunda, or termed proctitis cystica profunda. Some consider this synonymous, or closely related to

solitary rectal ulcer syndrome Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS or SRU) is a chronic disorder of the rectal mucosa (the lining of the rectum). Symptoms are variable. There may be bleeding, obstructed defecation, or no symptoms at all. Very often but not always SRUS occurs ...

, a consequence of internal rectal intussusception. It can have benign columnar epithelium and mucosal cysts deep to the muscularis mucosa on microscopy. Hence it can be mistaken for an invasive adenocarcinoma.

References

Gastroenterology {{endocrine-disease-stub

See also

References