Proctalgia secondary to rectal arteriovenous malformation and inferior mesenteric vein stenosis in a patient post liver transplant

Abstract

BackgroundChronic proctalgia can have a major impact upon quality of life. There are many potential aetiologies however, in some patients no cause can be identified.Case presentationWe present a patient post liver transplant with intractable proctalgia, despite multidisciplinary management including opioids, nerve blocks and surgical intervention. An underlying rectal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was subsequently identified and successfully treated with embolotherapy. The onset of symptoms coincided with the development of inferior mesenteric vein stenosis, likely leading to engorgement of the malformation due to impaired venous outflow. Neovascularisation secondary to the liver transplant procedure may also have contributed to growth of the lesion.ConclusionThis is a rare presentation of rectal AVM. These lesions can be treated with minimally invasive embolisation/sclerotherapy and should be considered in cases of unexplained proctalgia.