Transcatheter embolization of angiodysplasia of the rectum

A 51-year-old man with repeated and massive rectal bleeding was found to have a large angiodysplasia of the rectum. A superselective embolization of the distal part of the superior rectal artery with Ivalon controlled the rectal bleeding for 4 months. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding recurred and a recurrent lesion was re-embolized with Ivalon with excellent control of bleeding in a follow-up of 8 months. Embolization is an alternative to surgery for the treatment of rectal angiodysplasia and hopefully may result in a long-term cure. (orig.)