Argon photocoagulation in the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia and radiation proctitis.
Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) and radiation proctitis are two vascular disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that typically present with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Although the pathogenesis of either condition is not known, they are unlikely to be similar. GAVE appears to be related to autoimmune disorders or cirrhosis, while radiation proctitis is the result of pelvic irradiation, most commonly used for the treatment of pelvic malignancies. Medical therapies for both conditions are not typically effective, and surgical therapies are usually not required because endoscopic treatment, aimed at coagulation of the underlying vascular lesions, has evolved as the most effective therapy. There is limited evidence in the literature for the use of medical and surgical therapies, with most of the evidence coming from case reports involving small numbers of patients. In the present article, we review the evidence for the use of argon plasma photocoagulation (APC, the most commonly used endoscopic modality) in the treatment of GAVE and radiation proctitis.
Rosenfeld
Greg
G
St Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2K5, Canada.
Enns
Robert
R
D001128:Argon; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D020252:Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D011349:Proctitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000601:surgery
D001128:Argon