title: Bleeding from cavernous angiomatosis of the rectum in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome: report of three cases and literature review.
abstract: Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a congenital vascular anomaly characterized by limb hypertrophy, cutaneous hemangiomas, and varicosities. GI hemorrhage is a potentially serious complication secondary to diffuse hemangiomatous involvement of the gut. We report on three patients with KTS who presented with transfusion-dependent anemia and life-threatening bleeding due to extensive cavernous hemangiomas involving the rectum. Two patients were treated by proctocolectomy and coloanal anastomosis, which preserved anal function while controlling bleeding. The third patient required an abdominoperineal resection because of extensive rectal, perianal, and perineal angiomatosis. The literature on the evaluation and management of GI hemorrhage in KTS, particularly of colorectal origin, is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Gastroenterology and Colon and Rectal Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Devine
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Dozois
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nehra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000798:Angiomatosis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007715:Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*