Diffuse cavernous hemangiona of the colon, rectum and anus

Diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the colon, rectum and anus is an extremely rare benign disease also reported in pediatric patients. Its importance involves fatal hemorrhages occurring in patients with inadequate treatment. Differential diagnosis includes other possible causes of rectal bleeding such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures among the minor as well as major sources such as angiodysplasias or less extensive intestinal angiomatosis; inflammatory diseases and cancer are also included in differential diagnosis. In our study, on the basis of a review of the literature and one case which has been successfully treated in our Institution, we have discussed diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this disease. Only in rare cases when periano-rectal tissue is involved, an abdominoperineal resection is required. A sphincter-saving procedure is advisable in all other instances.