{"paper_id":"c426eb9b-3b94-413d-8835-aecaab2652e1","body_text":"Abstract\nThe solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is an uncommon condition in which a solitary area of discrete ulceration is typically found on the anterior wall of the rectum. Between 1981 and 1983, we collected 8 pathologically proven cases of SRUS in which barium enema examinations had been performed (7 double-contrast, 1 single-contrast). Seven patients had rectal bleeding. On the original x-ray report, 4 cases were thought to be normal, but the pathologic tissue had been removed endoscopically in 2 of these cases prior to the radiologic study. The other 4 cases were thought to be abnormal, although the specific diagnosis of SRUS was not suggested in any case. In a blinded rereading of these 8 cases randomly interspersed with 29 other non-SRUS cases, however, the films were interpreted in light of recent radiologic experience with this condition. The same 4 cases were still thought to be normal. In the remaining 4 cases, barium enemas revealed thickened, edematous valves of Houston (3 cases) and a submucosal mass adjacent to the anal verge (1 case). The diagnosis of SRUS was suggested in all 4 cases with only 1 false-positive diagnosis due to a rectal stricture in a patient with endometriosis. Although barium enemas may be normal in patients with SRUS, the presence of thickened, edematous valves of Houston, particularly in a young patient with rectal bleeding, should suggest this condition.\nSimilar content being viewed by others\nReferences\nFord MJ, Anderson JR, Gilmour HM, Holt S, Sircus W, Heading RC: Clinical spectrum of “solitary ulcer” of the rectum.Gastroenterology 84:1533–1540, 1983\nMadigan MR, Morson BC: Solitary ulcer of the rectum.Gut 10:871–881, 1969\nRutter KR, Riddell RH: The solitary ulcer syndrome of the rectum.Clin Gastroenterol 4:505–530, 1975\nLewis FW, Mahoney MP, Heffernan CK: The solitary ulcer syndrome of the rectum: radiological features.Br J Radiol 50:227–228, 1977\nChapa HJ, Smith HJ, Dickinson TA: Benign (solitary) ulcer of the rectum — another cause for rectal stricture.Gastrointest Radiol 6: 85–88, 1981\nFeczko PJ, O'Connell DJ, Riddell RH, Frank PH: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: radiologic manifestations.AJR 135:499–506, 1980\nCastagnone D, Ranzi T, Velio P, Bianchi P, Polli EE: Radiologic features of the solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.Eur J Radiol 4:110–113, 1984\nKennedy DK, Hughes ES, Masterton JP: The natural history of benign ulcer of the rectum.Surg Gynecol Obstet 144:718–720, 1977\nSchweiger M, Alexander-Williams J: Solitary-ulcer syndrome of the rectum: its association with occult rectal prolapse.Lancet 1:170–171, 1977\nWhite CM, Findlay JM, Price JJ: The occult rectal prolapse syndrome.Br J Surg 67:528–530, 1980\nMartin CJ, Parks TG, Biggart JD: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in Northern Ireland, 1971–1980.Br J Surg 68:744–747, 1981\nRutter KR: Electromyographic changes in certain pelvic floor abnormalities.Proc R Soc Med 67:53–56, 1974\nRutter KR: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.Proc R Soc Med 68:22–26, 1975\nThomson G, Clark A, Handyside J, Gillespie G: Solitary ulcer of the rectum — or is it? A report of 6 cases.Br J Surg 68:21–24, 1981\nWayte DM, Helwig EB: Colitis cystica profunda.Am J Clin Pathol 48:159–169, 1967\nMartin JK, Culp CE, Weiland LH: Colitis cystica profunda.Dis Colon Rectum 23:488–491, 1980\nRosengren JE, Hildell J, Lindstrom CG, Leandoer L: Localized colitis cystica profunda.Gastrointest Radiol 7:79–83, 1982\nBallas M, Nunez L, Miller EM: Localized colitis cystica profunda.Arch Surg 103:406–408, 1971\nAuthor information\nAuthors and Affiliations\nRights and permissions\nAbout this article\nCite this article\nLevine, M.S., Piccolello, M.L., Sollenberger, L.C. et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: A radiologic diagnosis?. Gastrointest Radiol 11, 187–193 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02035067\nReceived:\nAccepted:\nIssue date:\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02035067","source_license":"public-domain-us","license_restricted":false}