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Let the finger linger
H P Redmond1, O M Austin, J Phillips
1Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
Irish Journal of Medical Science
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Retrorectal masses, though rare, often present with back pain and a palpable posterior mass. Surgical removal is effective, with most masses being benign and patients recovering well.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Retrorectal masses are uncommon tumors with a typically gradual onset.
- This study reviews six consecutive cases of retrorectal masses.
Observation:
- The primary symptom reported by patients was back pain.
- A palpable posterior mass during rectal examination was a consistent physical finding.
- Computed Tomography (CT) scans proved to be the most valuable diagnostic imaging modality.
Findings:
- Surgical excision was performed using either anterior (trans-abdominal) or posterior (retrorectal) surgical approaches.
- The majority of excised retrorectal masses were histopathologically confirmed as benign.
- All patients in the series experienced positive outcomes post-surgery with no reported complications to date.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing retrorectal masses.
- Understanding the clinical presentation and radiological findings aids in timely diagnosis.
- The study highlights the generally favorable prognosis for patients with retrorectal masses following surgical management.