title: Vascular malformations of the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Vascular malformations of the gastrointestinal tract may be diagnosed at any age. They may present with bleeding, anaemia, or if they form a mass lesion, with intussusception. Many lesions remain asymptomatic. In a minority of patients there are well-defined genetic conditions present, such as hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. In others, particularly the angiodysplastic lesions that occur in the caecum in elderly patients, the lesions appear to be degenerative. Vascular malformations may affect any section of the gastrointestinal tract, and in some patients there are vascular anomalies elsewhere, particularly in the skin. Diagnosis is usually based on recognition endoscopically, or at angiography. Symptomatic lesions that are discrete and localized respond well to local treatment with laser or heat coagulation or sclerotherapy. Mass lesions, diffuse lesions and severe bleeding may require surgery.
authors.affiliation: Royal Free Hospital and Royal Free, University College School of Medicine, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watkinson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hodgson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D001158:Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities*; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis; D004064:Digestive System / Q000098:blood supply*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D020252:Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014680:Veins / Q000002:abnormalities*