[Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia: about 54 cases].

UNLABELLED: Angiodysplasia is an arteriovenous malformation which can reach the entire gastrointestinal tract and especially the colon. Its management is often difficult. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical, topographic and therapeutic characteristics of angiodysplasia. METHODS: it is a retrospective study including 54 cases of GI angiodysplasia collected over 13 years. RESULTS: the mean age was 62 years: 66% were males. Angiodysplastic lesions were predominantly located in the colon (85%). Nine patients required an endoscopic treatment. Electrocoagulation wases used in 8 cases and a sclerotherapy in 1 case. Surgical resection was necessary in 2 patients which died of the after-effects of surgery. CONCLUSION: angiodysplasia is a common etiology of chronic lower GI bleeding particularly in the elderly.