Hemangiomas of the pelvis

Hemangiomas of the colon and rectum are rare but often misdiagnosed causes of hematochezia. They are characterized by the clinical triad of recurrent episodes of painless rectal bleeding, multiple ectopic phleboliths on plain radiographs, and cutaneous hemangiomas. The majority of these tumors involve the rectosigmoid region. Diffuse cavernous lesions are the most common histological type. Endoscopy is important to define the extent and number of lesions. Imaging by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is used to define invasion into pelvic structures. Surgical resection with preservation of the sphincters is the recommended treatment.