Vascular ectasia of the colon: clinical, colonoscopic, and radiographic features

Abstract

We report a retrospective review of the pertinent clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic findings of 15 patients with vascular ectasia of the colon. Although the majority of the patients were over 60 years old, 40% were older than 50 but younger than 60. Vascular ectasia can occur without associated aortic stenosis or chronic obstructing pulmonary disease. Twenty-seven percent of the patients had multiple lesions involving the transverse or descending colon or both, as well as the cecal-ascending colon area. Colonoscopy and angiography were able to detect the vascular ectasia, but both diagnostic methods missing some lesions. Watchful waiting appears to offer a reasonable approach toward patients with vascular ectasia of the colon unless the lesions cause significant or recurrent bleeding.