Angiodysplasia (vascular malformations) of the colon presenting as an acute abdomen

Arteriovenous malformation that caused prolapse of the colon and was treated surgically in an infant: a case report

Background

Various terms have been used to describe vascular lesions in the intestine, including angiodysplasia, arteriovenous malformation, and telangiectasia. Such lesions are common in adults and are typified by angiodysplasia, a type of arteriovenous malformation. In contrast, these lesions are rarely seen in the pediatric population. Angiodysplasia may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, which is sometimes an indication for treatment. Considering the high rate of recurrence after surgical treatment, conservative treatments are mainly chosen. We herein report an extremely rare case of a prolapsed colon due to an arteriovenous malformation successfully treated by resection in a 1-year-old girl. We also highlight the differences between pediatric and adult cases.

Case presentation

A girl developed bloody stools at 7 months of age. She visited another hospital at 1 year of age because of continuing moderate hematochezia and recent onset of rectal prolapse. Colonoscopy showed a protruding lesion located 15 cm from the anal verge, suggesting a submucosal vascular abnormality. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging at our hospital revealed the localized lesion with dilated blood vessels in part of the sigmoid colon; no other lesions were present in the gastrointestinal tract. Laparoscopic-assisted sigmoidectomy was performed. A subserosal vascular lesion was visualized and resected using end-to-end anastomosis. Pathologic examination of the 2.2 × 2.7-cm segment revealed several abnormally enlarged and ectatic blood vessels in the submucosa extending into the subserosa. The lesion was diagnosed as an arteriovenous malformation. The patient had a good clinical course without recurrence at the 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions

An arteriovenous malformation in the sigmoid colon may rarely cause intussusception and prolapse of the colon. Complete resection is a radical and potentially effective treatment. Computed tomography and colonoscopy were useful for evaluation of the lesion in the present case.

Ileal angiodysplasia presentation as a bowel obstruction: A case report

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Angiodysplasia is an important cause of both overt and occult gastrointestinal bleeding.

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However, angiodysplasia should also be kept in mind while dealing with an acute abdomen due to a bowel obstruction, especially in elderly patients with occult gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Such exceptional presentation of angiodysplasia can be explained by the development, in the digestive submucosa, of acquired arteriovenous malformation with multiple shunts and rapid blood flow. This results in an inadequate oxygenation of a segment of intestine, chronic ischemia, wall thickness and stenosis and bowel obstruction.

Introduction

Angiodysplasia is a common vascular abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract, found in the elderly and most frequently revealed by gastrointestinal bleeding. We report an original case of ileal angiodysplasia in an 83-year-old woman presenting as a bowel obstruction.

Case presentation

An 83-year-old woman with a medical history of chronic untreated anemia, presented with cardinal symptoms of bowel obstruction. Computed tomography revealed diffuse ileal wall thickening with multiple zones of stenosis, which were aggravated by an ileal perforation and associated with vascular abnormalities compatible with angiodysplasia. Surgery confirmed the imaging findings. A large resection importing one meter of ileum was performed. The pathology report of the resected specimen revealed ischemic lesions of ileum associated with ileal angiodysplasia. The postoperative period was marked by an acute dehydration in the patient who died 3 weeks after surgery.

Discussion

Angiodysplastic lesions develop with aging due to chronic low-grade intermittent obstruction of submucosal veins. These lesions are the result of increased contractility at the level of muscularis propria, leading to congestion of the capillaries and failure of pre-capillary sphincters, resulting in the formation of small arteriovenous collaterals. The acquired arteriovenous malformation consisting of multiple shunts with rapid blood flow may result in inadequate oxygenation of a segment of the intestine and lead to ischemia and eventually wall thickening, stenosis and even perforation of the small bowel.

Conclusion

Angiodysplasia should be kept in the back of one’s mind as one of the causes of acute abdomen and bowel obstruction, especially in elderly people suffering from occult gastrointestinal bleeding.

Review article: gastrointestinal angiodysplasia - pathogenesis, diagnosis and management

BACKGROUND

Angiodysplasia (AD) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an important condition that can cause significant morbidity and -rarely - mortality.

AIM

To provide an up-to-date comprehensive summary of the literature evaluating this disease entity with a particular focus on pathogenesis as well as current and emerging diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Recommendations for treatment will be made on the basis of the current available evidence and consensus opinion of the authors.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed. The search strategy used the keywords 'angiodysplasia' or 'arteriovenous malformation' or 'angioectasia' or 'vascular ectasia' or 'vascular lesions' or 'vascular abnormalities' or 'vascular malformations' in the title or abstract.

RESULTS

Most AD lesions (54-81.9%) are detected in the caecum and ascending colon. They may develop secondary to chronic low-grade intermittent obstruction of submucosal veins coupled with increased vascular endothelial growth factor-dependent proliferation. Endotherapy with argon plasma coagulation resolves bleeding in 85% of patients with colonic AD. In patients who fail (or are not suitable for) other interventions, treatment with thalidomide or octreotide can lead to a clinically meaningful response in 71.4% and 77% of patients respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiodysplasia is a rare, but important, cause of both overt and occult GI bleeding especially in the older patients. Advances in endoscopic imaging and therapeutic techniques have led to improved outcomes in these patients. The choice of treatment should be decided on a patient-by-patient basis. Further research is required to better understand the pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic targets.