gastrointestinal disorders
Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome
Introduction
Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a rare disorder that involves straining during defecation, a sense of incomplete evacuation, and sometimes passage of blood and mucus by rectum. It is caused by localized ischemic injury or prolapse of the distal rectal mucosa. Diagnosis is clinical with confirmation by flexible sigmoidoscopy and sometimes biopsy. Treatment is a bowel regimen for mild cases, but surgery is sometimes needed if rectal prolapse is the cause. (See also Evaluation of Anorectal Disorders .) Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is caused by mucosal ischemia of the distal rectal mucosa resulting from trauma. Causes include Rectal Prolapse and Procidentia None Paradoxical contraction of the puborectalis muscle Chronic Constipation None Attempts at manual disimpaction of hard stools 