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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a condition that occurs when a sore (ulcer) develops in the rectum. The rectum is a muscular tube that's connected to the end of your colon. Stool passes through the rectum on its way out of the body.
Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a rare and poorly understood disorder that occurs in people with chronic constipation. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome can cause rectal bleeding and straining during bowel movements. Despite its name, sometimes more than one rectal ulcer occurs in solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.
Treatments for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome range from changing your diet and fluid intake to surgery.
- Kim DJ, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 2, 2012.
- Edden Y, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome and stercoral ulcers. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2009;38:541.
- Bulut T, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: Exploring possible management options. International Surgery. 2011;96:45.
- Constipation. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/index.aspx. Accessed March 12, 2012.
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