The protean clinical endoscopic and histological manifestations of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

Background: Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome (SRUS) is a relatively uncommon, benign condition which clinically, endoscopically and histologically can mimic many conditions including carcinoma of the rectum and inflammatory bowel disease.

 

Objectives: Description of the clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings and histological features in a cohort of patients with SRUS.

 

Method: The clinical histories, endoscopic records and the Haematoxyline & Eosin stained slides of 43 patients diagnosed as having SRUS were analyzed.

 

Results: The total study population included 43 patients (men-25 and women-18) with a median age of 45 years and age range from 9-80 years. Symptoms were documented in 33 patients and the commonest presentation was altered bowel habits which included tenesmus, mucous discharge, excessive straining and sensation of incomplete defecation seen in 58% (n=19). Other symptoms were rectal bleeding, diarrhoea and constipation in 48% (n=16), 15%(n=5) and 9%(n=3) respectively.