The Impact of Argon Plasma Coagulation in the Treatment of a Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome Revealed by Massive Hemorrhage

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a rare and chronic rectal condition that can result in a pelvic static disorder. Massive rectal bleeding is a rare manifestation of SRUS. The diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical, endoscopic, and histological findings. The management of bleeding ulcers is usually insufficient with the conventional treatment. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) has been reported to control bleeding. However, its role in healing and improving defecation symptoms is not unanimous in studies. Our case report features a 35-year-old male with terminal constipation and chronic rectal pain, taking laxatives and analgesics, who presented abundant rectal bleeding with hemodynamic instability. The colonoscopy showed two large bleeding rectal ulcers. The histological study of the biopsies was in favor of a solitary rectal ulcer. We have performed multiple sessions of APC. The bleeding was stopped after the first session and there was progressive healing and improvement of the rectal symptoms after other sessions. At 18 months follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic, and no longer uses analgesics and laxatives. Argon plasma coagulation is an effective treatment to control rectal ulcer bleedings. It also improves the healing process and clinical symptoms. However, further controlled studies are needed to support this hypothesis.