Skip to main content
Log in

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

Twenty cases seen at an oncology center

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

A retrospective study of 20 cases of biopsy-proven solitary rectal ulcer syndrome seen at a large oncology hospital which highlight the clinicopathologic features is presented. Thirty five percent of patients were in their sixth decade and there was a male preponderance of 2.3∶1. All patients presented with anorectal symptoms. Eighty five percent had normal abdominal findings and seventy five percent had positive findings on rectal examinations. Fifty four percent had a diagnosis of carcinoma of the rectum on barium enema studies. On sigmoidoscopy, a solitary ulcer was found in 80 percent; 50 percent had lesions between 6 and 10 cm from the anal verge, and 40 percent had the lesion on the anterior rectal wall. All patients were treated conservatively and 35 percent were disease free at the end of five years, while 30 percent had persisting symptoms.

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. Cruveilhier J. Ulcere Chronique du Rectum. In: Anatomie Pathologique du Corps Humain, Vol. 2, Libre 25, Maladies du rectum. Paris: Bailliere, 1830:4.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lloyd-Davies OV. Quoted by Rutter KR. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. Proc R Soc Med 1975;68:22–6.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Madigan MR, Morson BC. Solitary ulcer of the rectum. Gut 1969;10:871–81.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Ehsanullah M, Filipe MI, Gazzard B Morphological and mucus secretion criteria for differential diagnosis of solitary ulcer syndrome and nonspecific proctitis. J Clin Pathol 1982;35:26–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ford MJ, Anderson JR, Gilmour HM, Holt S, Sircus W, Heading RC. Clinical spectrum of “solitary ulcer” of the rectum. Gastroenterology 1983;84:1533–40.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kennedy DK, Hughes ES, Masterton JP. The natural history of benign ulcer of the rectum. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1977;144: 718–20.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Martin CJ, Parks TG, Biggart JD. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in Northern Ireland, 1971–1980. Br J Surg 1981;68:744–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Niv Y, Bat L. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome—clinical, endoscopic, and histological spectrum. Am J Gastroenterol 1986;81:486–91.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Du Boulay CE, Fairbrother J, Isaacson PG. Mucosal prolapse syndrome—a unifying concept for solitary ulcer syndrome and related disorders. J Clin Pathol 1983;36:1264–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Thomson H, Hill D. Solitary rectal ulcer: always a self-induced condition? Br J Surg 1980;67:784–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Feczko PJ, O'Connell DJ, Riddell RH, Frank PH. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: radiologic manifestations. AJR 1980;135:499–506.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lobert PF, Appelman HD. Inflammatory cloacogenic polyp: a unique inflammatory lesion of the anal transitional zone. Am J Surg Pathol 1981;5:761–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Rutter KR. Electromyographic changes in certain pelvic floor abnormalities. Proc R Soc Med 1974;67:53–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rutter KR, Riddell RH. The solitary ulcer syndrome of the rectum. Clin Gastroenterol 1975;4:505–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Parks AG, Porter NH, Hardcastle J. The syndrome of the descending perineum. Proc R Soc Med 1966;59:477–82.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Schweiger M, Alexander-Williams J. Solitary-ulcer syndrome of the rectum: its association with occult rectal prolapse. Lancet 1977;1:170–1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Porter N. Collective results of operations for rectal prolapse. Proc R Soc Med 1962;55:1087–91.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Stavorovsky M, Weintroub S, Ratan J, Rozen, P. Successful treatment of a benign solitary rectal ulcer by temporary diverting sigmoidostomy: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum 1977;20: 347–50.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Nicholls RJ, Simon JN. Anteroposterior rectopexy in the treatment of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome without overt rectal prolapse. Br J Surg 1986;73:222–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

About this article

Cite this article

Britto, E., Borges, A.M., Swaroop, V.S. et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. Dis Colon Rectum 30, 381–385 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555459

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555459

Key words

Navigation