Telangiectasias of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Report of six cases and review.

Telangiectasias of the upper gastrointestinal tract are probably being recognized more frequently now simply because of current high awareness of their existence. In six patients reported here, the condition was recognized in three because of recurrent upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and in three during endoscopic evaluation for epigastric pain. Two of the six patients shared the features of gastric and/or duodenal telangiectasia, advanced age, and aortic valve disease. Two patients were treated with endoscopic coagulation, with no success in one. Laser, when available, may prove to be the most effective therapeutic tool for this entity.