Skip to main content
Log in

Xanthogranulomatous abscess of a Mullerian duct remnant

A rare lesion of the rectum and anus

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

A rare example of xanthogranulomatous inflammatory mass and abscess of a Mullerian duct remnant involving the anorectal area is reported. A barium enema showed a bilobed precoccygeal mass of moderate size involving the posterior aspect of the distal rectum. Computed tomography (CT) showed two nonfatty, round masses, one of which contained a small central cystic area. The other mass had a homogeneous appearance and was believed to be in the wall of the rectum. The pathologic specimen showed organizing abscesses and a chronic xanthogranulomatous inflammation in tissue compatible with urogenital tissue, presumably a Mullerian duct remnant. This is the first documented report of anorectal xanthogranulomatous abscess in a Mullerian duct remnant with radiologic findings and histopathologic correlation. Though rare, this lesion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of extrinsic and intramural rectal masses seen on barium enema and CT examinations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Malek RS, Elder JS. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: a critical analysis of 26 casese and of the literature. J Urol 1978;119:589–93.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Giffel B, Cordoba M. Verruciform xanthoma in the anal region. Am J Proctol Gastroenterol Colon Rectal Surg 1980;31:24–5.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Haimoff H, Dintsman M, Kessler E. Xanthogranuloma of the peri-anal region: a case report. Am J Proctol 1971;22:123–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Gidwani GP, Ballard LA Jr, Lavery IC. Xanthogranuloma of the vagina. Cleve Clin Q 1979;46:163–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Mast A, Elewaut A, Mortier G, et al. Gastric xanthoma. Am J Gastroenterol 1976;65:311–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Christensen AH, Ishak KG. Benign tumors and pseudotumors of the gallbladder: report of 180 cases. Arch Pathol 1970;90:423–32.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. McCaffery TD Jr. Xanthomas of the stomach. Gastrointest Endosc 1975;21:167–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Mishkel MA, Cockshott WP, Nazir DJ, Rosenthal D, Spaulding WP, Wynn-Williams A. Xanthoma disseminatum: clinical, metabolic, pathologic, and radiologic aspects. Arch Dermatol 1977;113:1094–1100.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Graivier L, Vargas MA. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in childhood. Am J Dis Child 1972;123:156–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Malek RS, Greene LF, DeWeerd JH, Farrow GM. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Br J Urol 1972;44:296–308.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Moller JC, Kristensen IB. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: a clinico-pathological study with special reference to pathogenesis. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand [A] 1980;88:89–96.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hatch CS, Cockett AT. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. J Urol 1964;92:585–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mering JH, Kaplan GW, McLaughlin AP III. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: unusual clinical presentations. Urology 1973;1:338–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Tan HK, Heptinstall RH. Experimental pyelonephritis: a light and electron microscopic study of the periodic acid-schiff positive interstitial cell. Lab Invest 1969;20:62–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Marshak RH, Lindner AE, Maklansky D, eds. Radiology of the colon. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1980:524–60.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Teplick SK, Stark P, Clark RE, Metz JR, Shapiro JH. The retrorectal space. Clin Radiol 1978;29:177–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Campbell WL, Wolff M. Retrorectal cysts of developmental origin. AJR 1973;117:307–13.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kauffman GL Jr. Anorectal abscess. In: Wilson SE, Finegold SM, Williams RA, eds. Intra-abdominal infection. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1982;244–57.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Utne JR, Pugh DG. The roentgenologic aspects of chordoma. AJR 1955;74:593–608.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

About this article

Cite this article

Davis, M., Whitley, M.E., Haque, A.K. et al. Xanthogranulomatous abscess of a Mullerian duct remnant. Dis Colon Rectum 29, 755–759 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555328

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555328

Key words

Navigation