The usefulness of transrectal endosonography in differentiating an anal abscess from a rectal carcinoma. A case report

Abstract

Background. The high anal abscess might have not a typical, chronic clinical course, and its diagnosis may be difficult.

Case report. The authors describe a case of a patient with the initial diagnosis of rectal cancer. Because of non-specific clinical symptoms suggesting a high anal abscess with atypical, chronic course of the disease, additional investigations were suggested. The final diagnosis was high, submucous-intersphincteric abscess.

Conclusions. In the described case the most important ones turned out to be an exact finger per rectum examination, clinical proctologic assessment, and the transrectal ultrasound.