RECTAL PAIN

RECTAL PAIN: Excerpt from Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs

Ask the Following Questions:

1. Is there bleeding? The presence of bleeding with pain suggests an anal fissure, hemorrhoids, carcinoma, rectal prolapse, and intussusception.
2. Is there a mass? The presence of rectal pain along with a mass would suggest internal and external hemorrhoids, rectal carcinoma, and perirectal or ischiorectal abscesses. However, in females, masses in the cul-de-sac, such as an acute salpingitis, ectopic pregnancy, or endometriosis, will cause rectal pain. In males, prostatic abscess, foreign bodies, and seminal vesiculitis may cause rectal pain.
3. Is there a purulent discharge? Fistula in ano, perirectal abscess, ischiorectal abscess, and submucous abscess may cause a purulent discharge.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

Routine diagnostic studies include a CBC, sedimentation rate, urinalysis, chemistry panel, VDRL test, anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and barium enema. In females, a pregnancy test and vaginal smear and culture should be done. Ultimately, culdocentesis, pelvic ultrasound, and laparoscopy may be necessary, but a gynecologist should be consulted before considering these tests. In males, prostatic massage may yield a urethral discharge for smear and culture. An intravenous pyelogram or cystoscopy with retrograde pyelography may also be helpful.

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
• Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
• Year of Publication: 2003
• Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

More About This Book: Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs Authors: R. Douglas Collins Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9

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