Let the finger linger.
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.
Redmond
H P
HP
Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
Austin
O M
OM
Phillips
J
J
Collins
P G
PG
Clery
A P
AP
Deasy
J M
JM
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