Introduction
Cavernous hemangiomas of the sigmoid colon and rectum are uncommon vascular malformations usually found in young adults with
a long history of episodic and painless rectal bleeding. Alternatively, they may present with massive life-threatening hemorrhage.
Discussion
We report three cases of hemangioma of the rectosigmoid including one case of cavernous hemangioma, one case of arteriovenous
hemangioma, and one case of hemangiolymphangiomatosis with emphasis on clinical presentation, radiologic, operative, and pathologic
findings. Definitive treatment consists of complete resection with a sphincter-preserving procedure or abdominoperineal resection,
based on extent of disease.
Conclusion
Therapy is typically delayed by several years in these patients due to erroneous diagnosis and failed treatment of hemorrhoids
and inflammatory bowel disease. Relative to hemangiomas, lymphangiomas of the rectosigmoid are even more rare and when symptomatic,
present with rectal bleeding and pelvic pain.
Keywords Cavernous hemangioma - Arteriovenous hemangioma - Hemangiolymphangiomatosis - Rectal bleeding