Angiodysplasia of the colon
Colonic angiodysplasia is a common cause of acute or chronic rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anaemia.
Angiodysplasias are tiny - 1-5 mm in diameter - hamartomatous capillary lesions in the colonic wall which produce bleeding out of proportion to their size. They are believed to be acquired, possibly as a result of tension on the veins where they pass through the muscularis.
Diagnosis:
- subtraction mesenteric arteriography may demonstrate bleeding if rapid
- colonscopy: may visualise lesion
Treatment:
- electrical coagulation via the colonoscope
- resection of segment of colon if the above is unsuccessful
Related pages
Create an account to add page annotations
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.