Gastrointestinal lipomas.

We reviewed 15 years of experience with gastrointestinal (GI) lipomas at our institution. A series of eight patients was included, six of whom had lipomas in the colon and two, in the stomach. All eight patients were symptomatic. The diagnosis was not made preoperatively in seven cases, which accounted for surgical intervention in these patients. Colonoscopy was helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of the eighth patient. Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of GI lipomas include the use of computed tomographic scanning and colonoscopy.