[Angiodysplasia of the right colon: a frequent cause of lower digestive tract hemorrhage. Apropos of 13 cases].

13 observations of right hemorrhagic colic angiodysplasia were detected in less than 5 years: 9 times with proctorrhagia of varying amounts, 4 times with an endoscopic aetiological evaluation of iron deficiency anemia. Colonoscopy revealed lesions in 11 patients out of 13 in the form of erythematous spots of vascular hemorrhagic appearance in 5 cases. The arteriography was positive in 5 of the 7 cases where it was performed. Treatment was endoscopic 6 times, by follow-up electrocoagulation, 2 times, by right hemicolectomy. The latter was carried out immediately in 2 other cases. In 5 cases, iron treatment was all that was necessary. These right colic angiodysplasias are often an unknown cause of digestive hemorrhage or iron deficiency anemia. The difficult diagnosis depends on the colonoscopy performed by an operator accustomed to this type of lesion. It is carried out in emergency in cases of acute bleeding. Sometimes an arteriography is also performed. Endoscopic treatment may be an alternative to standard surgical treatment in elderly high-risk patients.