Rectal discharge
Rectal discharge | |
---|---|
Other names | Anal discharge, normal rectal mucus, anal drainage, anal seepage, anal leakage |
Rectal discharge is intermittent or continuous expression of liquid from the anus (
Types
Different types of discharge are described. Generally "rectal discharge" refers to either a mucous or
- Purulent rectal discharge
- Mucous rectal discharge
- Watery rectal discharge
- Steatorrhoea ("fatty diarrhea" caused by excess fat in stools, or an oily anal leakage)[1]
- Keriorrhea (orange oily anal leakage caused by high levels of escolar and oilfish in the diet) [2][3][4]
- Rectal bleeding, melena and hematochezia[5][6][7]
- Feculent rectal discharge (fecal rectal discharge), e.g. fecal leakage, encopresisand incontinence of liquid stool elements
- Diarrhea[8][9]
Symptoms
There are many different types of rectal discharge, but the most common presentation of a discharge is passage of mucus or pus wrapped around an otherwise normal bowel movement.[10]
Rectal discharge has many causes, and may present with other symptoms:[10][11]
- Staining of undergarments
- Constant feeling of dampness around anus
- Frequent urge to open bowels, but passage of only small amounts of mucus or pus-like liquid rather than normal feces
- Rectal pain
- Rectal malodor, when the discharge is foul-smelling, e.g. associated with certain infections
- Pruritus ani
- Rectal bleeding
- Perianal erythema, swelling and tenderness
Purulent rectal discharge (suppurative discharge)
Pus usually indicates infection. Frequently medical sources do not differentiate between the two types of discharge, instead using the general term mucopurulent discharge, which, strictly speaking, should only be used to refer to a discharge that contains both mucus and pus. Purulent discharges may be blood-streaked.[citation needed]
Mucous rectal discharge (mucinous rectal discharge, mucoid rectal discharge)
- Normal physiologically produced mucus
- Inappropriately expressed physiologically produced mucus (e.g. in the presence of sphincter defects, or lesions preventing normal sphincter closure, allowing seepage or soiling)
- Mucus produced in pathological quantities (e.g. from a lesion, or generalized coloproctitis or as a result of bacterial overgrowth)
A mucous rectal discharge may be blood-streaked. With some conditions, the blood can be homogenously mixed with the mucus, creating a pink goo. An example of this could be the so-called "red currant jelly" stools in
Note: "mucus" is a noun, used to name the substance itself, and "mucous" is an adjective, used to describe a discharge. "Mucoid" is also an adjective and means mucus-like. "Mucinous" strictly speaking refers to something having a mucin-like attribute, but it often is used interchangeably with the word "mucous" (as mucus usually contains a high percentage of mucin).
Differential diagnosis
The differential diagnosis of rectal discharge is extensive, but the general etiological themes are infection and inflammation.[11] Some lesions can cause a discharge by mechanically interfering with, or preventing the complete closure of, the anal canal. This type of lesion may not cause discharge intrinsically, but instead, allow transit of liquid stool components and mucus.
- Common causes include:
- Less common causes include: colorectal carcinoma, irritable bowel syndrome, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, anal fistulae, villous adenoma, poor anal hygiene[citation needed]
- Rare causes include: (when ruptured).
Perianal Crohn's disease is associated with fistulizing, fissuring and perianal abscess formation.[18]
After colostomy, the distal section of bowel continues to produce mucus despite fecal diversion, often resulting in mucinous discharge.[19]
Occasionally,
Perianal discharge
Several pathologies can present with perianal discharge. Although not exactly the same as rectal discharge, perianal discharge can be misinterpreted as such, given the anatomical proximity.[citation needed]
Causes
Proctitis
Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum[21] including the distal 15 cm (6 in) of the rectum.[citation needed]
Proctitis has many causes. Common infection causes include: sexual intercourse with someone who has a sexually transmitted disease (STD), infection from a foodborne illness, and strep throat (in children).[22] Proctitis may also be caused by some types of inflammatory bowel disease, radiation therapy, injury to the rectum or anus, or some types of antibiotic.[22][clarification needed][citation needed]
Tuberculosis proctitis can create a mucous discharge.[23]
Infections
Anal warts (condyloma acuminatum, anogenital warts)
Anal warts are irregular, verrucous lesions caused by
Chlamydia
The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis can cause 2 conditions in humans; viz. trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum. Trachoma can cause an asymptomatic proctitis, but the symptoms of lymphogranuloma venereum are usually more severe, including pruritus ani, purulent rectal discharge,
Rectal gonorrhea
Rectal gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.[24] The condition is usually asymptomatic, but symptoms can include rectal discharge (which can be creamy, purulent or bloody), pruritus ani, tenesmus, and possibly constipation. When symptomatic, these usually appear 5–7 days post-exposure.[14] Discharge is the most common symptom, and it is usually a brownish mucopurulent consistency.[27]
Syphilis
Anorectal syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum and is contracted through anoreceptive intercourse. Symptoms are usually minimal, but mucous discharge, bleeding, and tenesmus may be present.[27]
Anorectal fistulae
Ileocolic actinomycosis
Non-infectious inflammation
Ulcerative colitis
Diversion colitis
When the fecal stream is diverted as part of a colostomy, a condition called diversion colitis may develop in the section of bowel that no longer is in contact with stool. The mucosal lining is nourished by short-chain fatty acids, which are produced as a result of bacterial fermentation in the gut. Long-term lack of exposure to these nutrients can cause inflammation of the colon (colitis).[28] Symptoms include rectal bleeding, mucous discharge, tenesmus, and abdominal pain.[27]
Volvulus
Colonic ulcers
Functional
Mucosal prolapse syndromes
- Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome
- Colitis cystica profunda
- Internal intussusception
- Mucosal prolapse
- Rectal prolapse
Irritable bowel syndrome
Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis
Pruritus ani
Malignancy
Anal carcinoma
Anal carcinoma is much less common than
Rare neoplasms at this site that can give rise to discharge include Paget's disease (which is possibly a type of adenocarcinoma) and verrucous carcinoma.[27]
Colorectal cancer
Pelvic sepsis
Orlistat
Colorectal polyp
Adenoma is the most common colorectal polyp. Adenomas are not malignant, but rarely adenocarcinoma can develop from them. Large adenomas can cause rectal bleeding, mucus discharge, tenesmus, and a sensation of urgency. Mucus production may be so great that it can cause electrolyte disturbances in the blood.[27]
Juvenile polyps
Familial adenomatous polyposis
See also
References
- ISBN 9780199830121.
- PMID 22266298.
- PMID 19595384.
- PMID 7195080.
- S2CID 6971032.
- ^ MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Bloody or tarry stools, retrieved 19 July 2010.
- ^ Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Donald Venes. 20th Edition. Page 955.
- ^ "Diarrhea". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Diarrhoeal disease Factsheet". World Health Organization. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Rectal discharge". Queensland health. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ a b Schueler S. "Anal Discharge: Overview". Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- PMID 9148991.
- S2CID 8125271.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4051-6911-0.)
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- ^ Knott L (28 June 2021). "Gonorrhoea". Patient.info.
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- S2CID 20489800.
- ^ "About rectal discharge" (PDF). Colostomy association.
- S2CID 189776901.
- ^ "Definition & Facts for Proctitis | NIDDK". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
- ^ a b "Symptoms & Causes of Proctitis | NIDDK". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
- PMID 18320154.
- ^ PMID 21263807.
- ^ "Crohn's Disease". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Crohn's disease". NHS UK. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-387-24846-2.)
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