Angiodysplasia of the cecum, a threatening bleeding in the elderly

Abstract

Introduction: Angiodysplasia in the elderly is a pathology little documented in the medical literature, which usually presents as abdominal pain without cause and is usually associated with a blood test showing hypochromic microcytic anemia; however, there are cases in which significant bleeding occurs that leads the patient to a state of hemodynamic instability; the diagnosis is endoscopic and its treatment includes various therapies such as cauterization or embolization, its timely identification is crucial due to its association with frequent comorbidities in this age group such as aortic stenosis, end-stage renal failure and von Willebrand disease.

Objective: To describe a case of cecum angiodysplasia by reviewing a clinical history to analyze its diagnosis and treatment.

Materials and methods: Descriptive, retrospective study, clinical case presentation.

Results: Angiodysplasia of the cecum is a pathology that can occur in older adults with non-specific abdominal pain who present hemodynamic changes.

Conclusions: Angiodysplasia is an underdiagnosed progressive disease with fatal potential that requires an early diagnosis through a correct clinical history, based on a specific physical examination and with the support of diagnostic tools such as endoscopy