Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome in Children: A Case Series Study

Rare Cause of Hematochezia in Children: Solitary Rectal Ulcer, Single Center Experience

Background/Aims

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) can be overlooked, diagnosed late, or misdiagnosed, particularly in childhood. This study reviewed the 13-year experience of the authors' institution to increase clinicians' awareness of SRUS in the presence of symptoms. This paper reports the endoscopic and histopathological findings in children presenting with hematochezia.

Methods

The clinical and laboratory findings of 22 patients diagnosed with biopsy-proven SRUS in the authors' clinic between 2007 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

The mean age at diagnosis was 12.5±2.6 years, and 59.1% of the patients were male. The median time of diagnosis was 24 months. A single ulcer lesion was found by colonoscopy in 18 patients (81.8%), two ulcers in two patients (9%), and more than two ulcers in two patients (9%). The pathology reports of all biopsies taken from the lesions were consistent with a solitary rectal ulcer. In the first stage, the treatment was started with toilet training, a high-fiber diet, and laxatives. In 11 patients (50%) who did not respond to the initial treatment, a 5-ASA enema was added. A glucocorticoid enema was added to treatment in five patients (22%) whose complaints did not regress despite this treatment. Clinical remission was achieved in five of the patients (18.1%). The time to diagnosis was significantly shorter in those in remission than those not in remission (p=0.04).

Conclusions

This study is the first large series on Turkish children. An increased awareness of SRUS in children will increase the rate of early diagnosis and treatment, allowing remission in more patients.

Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome in Children: A Report of 140 Cases

OBJECTIVES

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is said to be rare in children (largest series so far; 55 in children, 116 in adults). We analyzed our experience to look at its clinical presentations, endoscopic appearance, and treatment outcome in a large cohort of children.

METHODS

Clinical and endoscopic data were collected between 2000 and 2018. Children (18 years or younger) diagnosed to have SRUS on colonoscopy and confirmed by histopathology were included. All children with SRUS were treated with behavioral modification, bulk laxative. Most with ulcer received steroid enema and some sulfasalazine or sucralfate enema.

RESULTS

The median age of 140 children was 12 (interquartile range [IQR]: 10-14) years, 79% were boys. The median symptom duration was 21 (IQR: 9-36) months. Rectal bleeding was the presenting feature in 131 (93.6%); constipation in 38 (27%); and small, frequent stools in 79 (56%). Most children had features of dyssynergic defecation such as prolonged sitting in the toilet (131, 93.6%), excessive straining (138, 98.6%), a feeling of incomplete evacuation (130, 92.8%), and rectal digitation (71, 50.7%). Rectal prolapse was noted in 24 (17%) cases. Colonoscopy documented rectal ulcer in 101 (72%) [Single: 84]. Over a median follow-up of 6 (IQR: 4-18) months, 27 patients were lost to follow-up and of the remaining 113 cases, 71 (62.8%) showed clinical improvement (healing of ulcer documented in 36/82, 44%).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of cases of SRUS presented in second decade with rectal bleeding and features of dyssynergic defecation. Ulcer was noted in three fourths of cases. The outcome of medical treatment with behavioral modification and local therapy was modest.

A Clinical Entity Often Missed-Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome in Children

Background: Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome (SRUS) was a relatively uncommon and easily misdiagnosed clinical entity in children. The diagnosis of this condition was often delayed due to lack of clinical suspicion. Only case series were available and no definitive treatment was postulated. Here, we share our experience of SRUS in our institute and reviewed the literature published so far. Aim: To study the clinical profile and treatment response of Solitary Rectal ulcer Syndrome in Children (SRUS). Materials: The clinical profile and 1 year follow up response of the diagnosed cases of SRUS over a period of 5 years was retrospectively collected from medical record department. Results: The median age of presentation among 24 children was 8 years with majority (75%) above 5 years. All children presented with intermittent rectal bleeding with median duration of 5.5 months. The other presenting symptoms documented were hard stool (79%), mucorrhea (70%), and abdominal pain (58%). One child presented with rectal prolapse. On colonoscopy, 46% had single ulcer while another 46% had multiple ulcers and 8% had polypoidal lesion. All lesions were within distal rectum and had characteristic histological pattern. All children were treated with conventional treatment like dietary fibers and laxatives along with toilet training. About 75% children attained remission and 25% had relapse but responded with corticosteroid enema. None required surgery. Conclusion: Conventional treatments itself induce and maintain remission in most of SRUS patients if treatment is instituted at the earliest. Thus, early suspicion and diagnosis is needed to achieve remission.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of medical treatments for the management of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIM

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a benign, poorly understood disorder that is difficult to manage. Medical interventions such as sucralfate, sulfasalzine, human fibrin, and a high fibre diet are reported as the first line of treatment. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of medical treatments for SRUS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Databases including PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were searched for randomised clinical trials (RCT) and observational studies that evaluated medical treatments for SRUS. Two authors independently performed selection of eligible studies based on eligiblity criteria. Data extraction from potentially eligible studies was carried out according to predefined data collection methods. Medical treatments, including sucralfate, sulfasalzine, human fibrin, a high fibre diet, and psyllium powder as a single or combination therapy were compared to placebo alone or combined with other treatments. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with ulcer remission; this was presented as pooled prevalence (PP) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The I² value and Q statistic test were used to test for heterogeneity. In the presence of heterogeneity, a random-effects model was applied.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies with 216 patients (males = 118, females = 98) diagnosed with SRUS were analysed in the final meta-analysis. The pooled effect estimate of treatment efficacy revealed that, of the patients receiving medical treatment, 57% had resolution of their ulcers (PP 0.57; 95% CI; 0.41 to 0.73). Statistically significant heterogeneity was observed (I² = 63%; τ2 = 0.64, P= <0.01). The scarcity of RCTs comparing medical treatments with other interventions was a major limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients receiving medical treatment for the management of SRUS experience resolution of their ulcers.