Rectal Polyp vs. Anal Prolapse

Rectal Polyp vs. Anal Prolapse

Left picture: This 3.5-year-old girl has a stalked polyp of the rectum which is drawn in front of the anus by the surgeon; the borders of the gaping anus are distinctly recognizable in the picture at the bottom of the corresponding side. Right picture: This 1-month-old girl has a grade 1 anal prolapse (mucosal prolapse); in grade 2 rectal prolapse which is visible in the picture at the bottom on the corresponding side, the circular folds of the mucous membrane are more distict than in an anal prolapse. The anal prolapse is mostly observed in the first year of life due to predisposing anatomical factors, if an additional releasing pathology is present, such as a constipation, a cystic fibrosis or other lesions. Often, not the passage of blood from the anus or anal region leads to a consultation, but the intermittently or constantly visible local finding.

In both children the history tells about a passage of mucus and blood by the anus. Left picture: The anal opening is filled by a mucous membrane-like mass. Right picture: The opening of the anus is not clearly recognizable.