Barium enema and defaecography in the diagnosis and evaluation of the solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

Abstract

Forty-three patients with histologically proven solitary ulcer syndrome of the rectum were examined by defaecography and 33 by barium enema. Barium enema showed changes in the rectum in all cases. Thickening of the rectal folds and spasm were most common, followed by ulceration and pseudopolypoid change. None of these changes is individually pathognomonic of the solitary ulcer syndrome, but viewed in conjunction they are highly suggestive of the condition. During defaecography, intussusception of the rectum was observed in 34 cases (79%). In 19 (44%) a complete external prolapse was present while intra-anal and intra-rectal intussusception was found in 15 (35%). Intussusception arose in most cases from the mid-rectum, and rarely from a rectal mucosal prolapse of the ampulla. Awareness of the abnormalities of the solitary ulcer syndrome on barium enema enables the radiologist to suggest the diagnosis and recommend defaecography to establish the functional disorder, which may help determine the appropriate medical or surgical treatment.