Vascular ectasia of the colon; Colonic arteriovenous malformation

The symptoms vary. Often, in elderly patients, the symptoms are weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath due to anemia. There may not be any signs of bleeding directly from the colon. Others may have occasional mild or severe bleeding episodes with bright red blood coming from the rectum.

There is no pain associated with angiodysplasia.

Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition include:

• Angiography (only useful if there is active bleeding into the colon)
• Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia
• Colonoscopy
• Stool test for occult (hidden) blood (a positive test result suggests bleeding from the colon)

Images

Digestive system organs

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Angiodysplasia of the colon Overview

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Angiodysplasia of the colon Treatment

Review Date: 02/02/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)