[13 cases of angiodysplasia of the digestive system]

This clinical study assesses the diagnostic and therapeutic problems entailed in so-called gastrointestinal angiodysplasias. Summary back ground data: the topic presents numerous, still unresolved, issues: classification (its clinical presentation and classification); anatomo-pathological identification; diagnosis and localization; treatment of patients with acute massive bleeding; long-term outcomes.

Thirteen patients, equally distributed between both sexes an with a mean age of 54 years (range = 23-75), were observed and operated over a nearly 20 year period. All patients had acute massive bleeding localized to the stomach, duodenum, ileum, colon and rectum. Diagnosis and localization were previously obtained in nine patients, mostly using selective angiography. With the exception of two rectal localizations treated with embolization, all patients underwent surgical resection. In two cases operated on without previous diagnosis, (rebleeding occurred).

The data available in the literature are broadly substantiated, even if the mean age reported seems somewhat lower (54 yrs). Localizations were detected in nearly all segments of the gastrointestinal tract, and the indication to surgical resection possibly after detection of the angiodysplasia and source of bleeding is confirmed. The best diagnostic technique is selective angiography.