Diffuse cavernous haemangioma of the rectum and anus: an unusual case of rectal bleeding with challenging management

BMJ Case Rep. 2009:2009:bcr02.2009.1545. doi: 10.1136/bcr.02.2009.1545. Epub 2009 Jun 26.

Abstract

Diffuse cavernous haemangioma of the rectum (DCHR) is an uncommon vascular pathology usually diagnosed in younger patients (5-25 years old) with painless, recurrent rectal bleeding. Here, an unusual case of an older patient with sigmoid adenocarcinoma and concomitant diffuse DCHR from the rectum to the distal edge of the anal canal is reported.The purpose of this article is to report this unusual case and to discuss pitfalls in diagnosis, preoperative assessment and treatment of DCHR.