Traumatic solitary rectal ulcer in Saudi Arabia. A distinct entity?

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a perplexing condition with a complex multifactorial pathophysiology. Inappropriate contraction of the puborectalis muscle and rectal mucosal prolapse have been commonly implicated, although self-induced trauma has been suspected in some cases. Eight patients who presented with rectal bleeding with excessive mucus were found to have an isolated rectal ulcer on proctosigmoidoscopy. Constipation, straining at stools, and pain in the anal region were present in seven of eight cases. All of them confessed to rectal digitation. Most of them had consulted more than two physicians and half of them had had barium enema and colonoscopy in the past. An ulcer was present on the anterior wall at 6-8 cm from the anal verge in seven of eight patients and none of them had either external or internal rectal prolapse. Rectal biopsy performed in six of eight showed histological findings consistent with the diagnosis of solitary rectal ulcer. Patients were convinced to stop finger evacuation and were given psyllium supplements. There was endoscopic healing with symptomatic improvement in the six patients who followed up for an average period of 38 weeks. We conclude that traumatic solitary rectal ulcer due to rectal digitation is a distinct entity and response to avoidance of this habit is good.