Perianal Ulcers from Antihemorrhoidal Ointment: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Perianal ulcers (PAUs) related to antihemorrhoidal product use have been recently reported in the literature through a few case reports. However, other etiologies of PAU must be ruled out, including infectious disease, inflammatory disease, malignancy, pressure injuries, radiotherapy, and other topical drugs. In this report, the authors describe two cases of PAUs due to an antihemorrhoidal ointment. In case 1, a 68-year-old woman with a history of hemorrhoids presented with PAUs after using an antihemorrhoidal ointment for 2 months. The ulcers were assessed through a histopathologic study and treated with calcium alginate dressings, with complete re-epithelialization occurring after 2 months. In case 2, a 58-year-old woman with a history of hemorrhoids developed painful PAUs while using an antihemorrhoidal ointment for 2 months. No other probable cause was found, and the ulcers were treated by discontinuing the ointment. The ulcers showed marked improvement, and complete re-epithelialization occurred after 6 weeks without additional treatment.