Imaging and interventions in vascular malformations of the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract

Vascular malformations of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are a rare yet significant cause of GI bleeding, that can present at any age and require a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis. While the majority of lesions may be asymptomatic and detected incidentally on imaging, they may also present with anemia if there is occult blood loss, as acute GI bleeding, or as lead points for intussusception. The presence of multiple vascular malformations may be associated with underlying syndromes, such as Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia syndrome and Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome. While luminal endoscopy is the first-line diagnostic test to evaluate overt and occult GI bleeding, imaging plays a very significant role in detecting these vascular malformations and planning the best treatment approach. In this review, we describe the various imaging findings of GI tract vascular malformations and available treatment options, focusing on endovascular interventional treatments where possible.