1996 Volume 38 Issue 4 Pages 1038-1046_1
Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS) was performed in 12 patients having one of the following 7 relatively rare rectal disorders to assess its value : submucosally localized recurrent rectal cancer (2 patients) ; carcinoid tumors, (3) ; leiomyoma, (2) ; leiomyosarcoma, (1) ; mucosal prolapse syndrome (polypoid), (1) ; heterotopic endometriosis, (2) and fibroma, (1). Regionally recurrent rectal carcinomas were located in the area from the rectal wall exterior to the submucosa, and appeared as hypoechoic regions with slightly irregular margins and a spotty hyperechoic interior. Carcinoid tumors were well-defined and almost homogeneous, and were displayed as slightly hyperechoic when compared to the fourth layer. Leiomyomas showed less irregularity in their margins and interiors, and no internal unechoic regions were present. On the other hand, the leiomyosarcoma showed an irregular margin and interior, and hypoechoic as well as hyperechoic regions were intermingled internally. Mucosal prolapse syndrome (polypoid) was depicted as relatively hyperechoic, mainly in the submucosal layer, with a sporadic hypoechoic interior. In heterotopic endometriosis, the fourth and fifth layers became a lump and it appeared as a thick, ill-defined hypoechoic region. The fibroma appeared to be relatively homogeneous and hypoechoic. These findings indicated that EUS was useful for differentiating these diseases.
