Colonoscopic diagnosis of angiodysplasias of the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract

We have reviewed our experience with colonoscopy in the diagnosis of angiodysplastic lesions of the colon. In 14 of the patients in our series, the lesions in the colon were diagnosed colonoscopically, confirming arteriographic findings in many but being the only diagnostic modality facilitating the diagnosis in three of the patients. Results of our experience indicate that colonoscopy is an effective means of diagnosing or confirming the diagnosis of angiodysplastic lesions of the right colon. It should be part of the evaluation along with superior and inferior mesenteric angiography of every patient with occult gastrointestinal tract bleeding or iron deficiency anemia, or both, for whom no diagnosis can be made with standard barium contrast techniques.