Rectal Mass in a Pregnant Patient: How Come?

Excerpt

A 23-year-old Native American woman (Gravida 2, Para 1) from the Four Corners (northwest) area of New Mexico was initially evaluated at term with ruptured amniotic membranes and increasing uterine contractions. Anemia and alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea were present during the last month of her pregnancy. She stated that she was unable to have a “proper” bowel movement, but had brown liquid diarrhea for some time, complaining of occasional nausea, and admitting to a 17-pound weight loss during the last month of her pregnancy, accompanied by a recent severe exacerbation of the constipation. She denied any abdominal pain, vomiting, or difficulty with urination. …