angiodysplasia of the colon
Last reviewed 01/2018
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