Angiodysplasia as the cause of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in a young adult. Report of a case.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to clarify the importance of bleeding vascular ectasia of the colon as the etiology of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients 40 years of age or younger.


METHODS
An otherwise healthy 21-year-old male was admitted to a tertiary medical center with massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Technetium-labeled red blood cell scan, selective visceral angiography, and colonoscopy identified the source of bleeding as vascular abnormality of the descending colon. Segmental colonic resection was performed.


RESULTS
Histologic review of the specimen demonstrated a vascular ectasia. The patient recovered uneventfully and has had no further stigmata of hemorrhage. A review of the literature was undertaken to make clear the significance of vascular ectasia as the source for massive colonic hemorrhage in the young adult.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report that documents histologically a vascular ectasia as the source of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in an otherwise healthy patient less than 40 years of age. Vascular ectasia is an uncommon cause of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the young adult.
Greason
K L
KL
Department of General Surgery, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California 92134-5000, USA.
Acosta
J A
JA
Magrino
T J
TJ
Choe
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016888:Angiodysplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D000792:Angiography; D001706:Biopsy; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male