[Angiodysplasia of the intestine--rational diagnosis and therapy]

Vascular ectasias of the gastrointestinal tract are local changes in the development of blood vessels, frequently associated with an arteriovenous shunt. The reported rates of such angiodysplasias have been increased in the past years due to improved diagnostic procedures as well as a general increase in the age of the population. The majority of these changes is found in the right colon. It is often difficult to localize the bleeding. We treat our patients according to the following diagnostic regimen: esophagogastroduodenoscopy, proctorectoscopy, colonoscopy, angiography, erythrocyte scintigram and diagnostic laparotomy. Therapeutic approaches include the surgical resection of the bleeding area as well as interventional endoscopy. To further reduce the high mortality rate associated with this disease, an early diagnosis and treatment are essential.