Colonic angiodysplasia. Follow-up of patients after endoscopic treatment for bleeding lesions.

Endoscopic electrocoagulation or photocoagulation is now the method of choice for treating colonic angiodysplasia. Follow-up of such patients has not been extensive. The authors report 26 patients with typical and symptomatic lesions who have been treated endoscopically. Follow-up (mean duration, 29.3 months) revealed that 21 patients remained symptom-free after a single procedure. Two patients needed a second procedure before being considered cured. In two others, the need for transfusions was lessened considerably after treatment. The last patient died of terminal cardiac failure. No complications occurred during treatment. Endoscopic treatment is a safe and efficient method for treating bleeding colonic angiodysplasia.