[Angiodysplasias or vascular ectasias of the intestine. Report on 8 personal cases].

Angiodysplasia or vascular ectasia of the intestine is a new pathological entity which was initially revealed by arteriography. More recently it has been found by coloscopy and is considered to be responsible for many cases of intestinal bleeding, especially in older patients The present study is based on eight patients including 2 cases of microscopic bleeding, 4 of massive hemorrhage, and 2 asymptomatic cases. There is a clear difference between intestinal angiodysplasia and other forms of vascular malformations, even though its pathogenesis is still in question. Whereas in older patients it is acquired, typically in the caecum. It can also exist congenitally in younger patients and in other locations. However, identical lesions may be observed at all levels of the digestive tract in association with certain diseases, most often vascular atheroma, but also diverse intestinal diseases (diverticulitis, colitis, polyps, cancer) and even iatrogenic diseases. Even though these malformations are frequent, the lesions often go unrecognized because special histological technics are required to reveal the arteriovenous fistulas. The major circumstance leading to this diagnosis is anemia due either to occult intestinal bleeding or massive hemorrhage (after exclusion of prevalent associated disease such as diverticulosis). Occasionally latent angiodysplasia is revealed during studies undertaken for associated disease. Positive diagnosis is based on selective angiography during massive bleeding and on endoscopic examination in case of anemia from occult bleeding. Surgical treatment should be undertaken in case of major blood loss. This usually consists of resection of the ascending colon, the most frequent site of the lesion. It is recommended that an even longer colonic segment be resected in case of associated diverticulosis. The preferred treatment of limited forms with few symptoms depends on more recent technics such as endoscopic electrocoagulation. In conclusion, many cases if occult intestinal bleeding can be explained by angiodysplasia which thus deserves better understanding and recognition.