Proctitis cystica profunda in paraplegics. Report of three cases

Malignant tumors in the rectum simulating solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in endoscopic biopsy specimens

Patients with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) frequently present with a mass that can be misinterpreted as cancer. In contrast, the occurrence and characteristics of SRUS-like histopathology produced by underlying malignancy have not been reported in detail. We report seven patients whose rectal mass that was induced by infiltrating carcinoma showed only histopathologic changes of SRUS on initial mucosal biopsy specimens. Carcinoma was evident in subsequent specimens after one to five repeat biopsies with delay in diagnosis from 1 week to 18 months in six patients. In one patient, infiltrating carcinoma was suggested on the first biopsy specimen by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin. Three of the patients had primary rectal adenocarcinoma, two had metastatic carcinoma from stomach or ovary, and two had direct invasion of anal squamous cell carcinoma or prostatic adenocarcinoma. We conclude that the histopathology of SRUS may occasionally represent a characteristic but nonspecific mucosal reactive change to a deeper seated malignancy. The terminology "solitary rectal ulcer syndrome/mucosal prolapse changes" with a cautionary note may be useful for reporting biopsy results to emphasize the possibility of underlying primary or metastatic malignancy in the differential diagnosis.

Colitis cystica profunda: imaging diagnosis and conservative treatment: report of two cases

Rectally localized colitis cystica profunda can simulate mucosecretory carcinoma.

PURPOSE AND METHODS

Because endoscopic examination and barium enema do not clarify the diagnosis, other diagnostic imaging methods such as transrectal ultrasonography, computerized tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging are needed.

RESULTS

Transrectal ultrasonography identifies multiple cysts in the rectal submucosa, with areas of echorefringent fibrosis between cysts, and confirms the absence of lymph node involvement or invasion of the muscular layer. Findings with computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have not previously been described for colitis cystica profunda. With computerized tomography, the lesion appears as a noninfiltrating entity in the submucosa, with loss of perirectal layers of fatty tissue and thickening of the levator ani muscle. With nuclear magnetic imaging, nodulations produce intense signals that increase in T2, illustrating the mucoprotein content of the cysts. The presence in surgical biopsy material of large, whole cysts confirms the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Reeducation of bowel habits aimed at avoiding straining and a high-fiber diet together with bulk laxatives can lead to complete remission of lesions in 6 to 18 months.