Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in childhood: a rare, benign, and probably misdiagnosed cause of rectal bleeding. Report of three cases.

Abstract

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is an uncommon and often underdiagnosed condition that usually presents with hematochezia, mucous discharge, and tenesmus. Its etiology is unknown but it seems related to excessive straining with defecation. Prolonged efforts force the anterior rectal mucosa into the anal canal with strangulation and appearance of congestion, edema, and ulceration. Histologic findings (fibromuscular obliteration of lamina propria and disorientation of muscle fibers) are characteristic, which helps to differentiate these lesions from other rectal entities. Although solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is rarely reported in children, it must be suspected in patients with rectal discharge of blood and mucus and previous disorders of evacuation. We present three children (aged 9, 10, and 14 years) with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome that had presented with rectal bleeding. A careful inquiry about evacuation habits and a high index of suspicion in children presenting with hematochezia helps to diagnose this possibly unrecognized or misdiagnosed entity in children. Endoscopy and histologic examination confirms this condition.