Rectum lipoma incarcerated in anus as a cause of abundant rectorrhagia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Lipomas are slow growing, benign tumors of mesenchymal origin. In most cases, they are incidental findings during endoscopic examinations. Lipomas in the gastrointestinal tract are rare entities with the lowest rate of occurrence in the rectum. They are mostly asymptomatic, but if they are larger than 4 cm can cause pain, intussusception, bleeding, volvulus, prolapse and weight loss. The aim of presented case report is to demonstrate that abundant rectorrhagia can be caused by a rare entity such as rectal lipoma. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a fifty-year-old male patient with a soft-structure prolapse through the anus accompanied by extensive bleeding. After repositioning, the structure was endoscopically removed. Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of a lipoma. CONCLUSION: Rectorrhagia can be a clinical manifestation of this rare condition - incarcerated rectal lipoma and should be considered in practice as a differential diagnosis in cases where existence of more common conditions like hemorrhoidal disease and malignant tumors is excluded.