Abstract

Leiomyoma of the rectum is a rare tumor and it usually present in 40 to 60 year-old individuals, and it is more frequent in men. It originates from either the muscularis mucosa or muscularis externa and those arising from the muscularis mucosa are typically small and they are identified incidentally in patients who are undergoing sigmoidoscopy. In contrast, the larger leiomyomas arising from the muscularis externa generally present symptoms that are consistent with rectal stenosis or a rectal mass. Endoscopic ultrasonography can help to define the tumor location, extension and size. Surgical resection is the treatment for most leiomyomas of the rectum, but endoscopic electroexcision is a safe and appropriate treatment for small polypoid rectal leiomyoma. We report here on a case of a semipedunculated rectal leiomyoma in a 59 year-old female patient. It was found incidentally during a colonoscopic examination and it was diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography. We performed endoscopic mucosal resection with colonoscopic snare electrocoagulation. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2009;38:151-155)

• Keywords: Leiomyoma, Endoscopic ultrasonography, Polypectomy