Carcinoma of rectum

Case contributed by Aditya Shetty
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Bleeding per rectum

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
Barium
  • abnormal abrupt narrowing of a segment of the rectum
  • the narrowed segment shows filling defects and mucosal irregularity
  • only a small amount of contrast has passed through segment to fill the proximal bowel with pooling of contrast media distal to the narrowed segment
Annotated image

Yellow arrows indicate the narrowed segment showing mucosal irregularity

Case Discussion

Case of rectal carcinoma 

Barium enema is a good method of detection. The views required are anteroposterior (AP), lateral and oblique. Single contrast study is adequate to demonstrate mucosal irregularity.

Mucosal irregularity noted on AP and lateral views coupled with the narrowing indicate a circumferential lesion.

Further evaluation and staging of cancer is carried out with CT or MRI. MRI is preferred as it provides better soft tissue differentiation.

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