Colonic angiodysplasia.

Abstract

Colonic angiodysplasia (AD) is an important vascular lesion responsible for approximately 6.0% of cases of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Lesions are usually located in the right colon and, although the pathophysiology is unknown, most are probably acquired as the result of a degenerative process associated with aging. Diagnosis is usually made during colonoscopy, but angiography can be efficacious when hemorrhage is severe. Most patients with bleeding AD are treated by endoscopy. Various methods have been used (monopolar electrocoagulation, injection therapy, contact probes, and lasers) with acceptable safety and success. perforation of the right colon is the main concern, especially with monopolar electrocoagulation and the YAG laser. In clinical practice, contact probes are used most often, although this approach has not been well studied as treatment for colonic AD.