Introduction

• Decrease in size of rectal lumen either following trauma - fibrous tissue formation or neoplasia.
• Cause: anorectal abscesses, accidental or surgical trauma, chronic proctitis, neoplasia, idiopathic.
• Signs: various degrees of fecal tenesmus, a thin ribbon-type stool, dyschezia, hematochezia, constipation → megacolon, and possibly fecal incontinence.
• Diagnosis: clinical signs, rectal palpation revealing a constricted area of the rectum that will not relax when the animal is under anesthesia, biopsy to check for neoplasia.
• Treatment: either dietary management and bougienage or dilatation, or surgery.
• Prognosis: recurrence of rectal stricture is always possible.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Anorectal abscesses.
• Accidental or surgical trauma.
• Chronic proctitis.
• Neoplasia.

Pathophysiology

• Any disease or trauma that evokes an inflammatory response in the anorectal region can cause scar tissue to form that is often a constricting ring of tissue.
• Neoplasia (carcinoma) is rare but may cause a similar annular type stricture of the distal colon or rectum.
• If the inflammatory response and subsequent fibrosis incorporates the anal sphincter musculature or associated nerves, fecal incontinence may result.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes