Cynthia’s Story: Mucosal prolapse syndrome with a solitary rectal ulcer caused by repeated straining
A 61-year-old retired school testing coordinator looking for an explanation for a smaller lining-only bulge, mucus, bright bleeding, tenesmus, and repeated digital assistance with evacuation
Cynthia was a retired school testing coordinator whose first explanation was full-thickness rectal prolapse.
The decision changed when the smaller lining-only bulge accompanied an endoscopically biopsied rectal ulcer. The combination of a smaller lining-only bulge, mucus, bright bleeding, tenesmus, and repeated digital assistance with evacuation required a more specific evaluation.
Endoscopy identified an anterior rectal ulcer, while biopsy and defecography supported mucosal prolapse syndrome rather than cancer or full-thickness external prolapse.
The final plan used avoidance of digital trauma, stool optimization, pelvic-floor biofeedback, topical or procedural care for selected disease, and surgery only after mechanism review. Follow-up measured safety, symptom resolution, objective recovery, and the risk of recurrence.
Only the lining was prolapsing, but repeated straining was enough to ulcerate it.