Rectal venous malformation in children: A rare and frequently underdiagnosed etiology of lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Rectal venous malformation is a rare vascular disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. 
It most commonly presents with recurrent rectal bleeding, which may be profuse and can lead to severe anemia requiring repeated blood transfusions. The diagnosis is often delayed due to the nonspecific nature of clinical manifestations and the rarity of the condition. 
Colonoscopy, in conjunction with imaging studies—particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—plays a crucial role in establishing the diagnosis and assessing the extent of the lesions. The treatment of choice is complete surgical excision.
We report the case of a 15-year-old boy with no significant past medical history, presenting with a one-year history of recurrent rectal bleeding associated with intermittent abdominal pain. Colonoscopy revealed congestive proctocolitis, while imaging confirmed the presence of a rectal venous malformation.