title: Let the finger linger.
abstract: Retrorectal masses are rare and of insidious onset. We report a consecutive series of six such cases (males = 4, females = 2). The main presenting complaint was back pain and the most reliable physical sign was a palpable mass posteriorly on rectal examination (all cases). C T scan was the most radiologically informative investigation. Surgical intervention was undertaken using both anterior (trans-abdominal) and posterior (retrorectal) approaches. The majority of the masses excised were benign and all patients, to date, remain well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Redmond
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Clery
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Deasy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002817:Chordoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery