Accuracy of helical computed tomographic angiography for the diagnosis of colonic angiodysplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The diagnosis of colonic angiodysplasia is often challenging and relies on endoscopy or catheter angiography. We investigated whether computed tomographic angiography (CTA) contributes to the diagnosis of colonic angiodysplasia.

METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with suspected bleeding from colonic angiodysplasia were prospectively evaluated. Gastrointestinal bleeding was investigated by colonoscopy plus visceral angiography and by CTA. The level of agreement between CTA and the former procedures was determined.

RESULTS: CTA images of diagnostic quality were obtained in 26 patients. Eighteen patients were diagnosed with colonic angiodysplasia by colonoscopy plus visceral angiography, and 14 by CTA (kappa = 0.68; P < 0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values of CTA for detection of colonic angiodysplasia were 70%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. CTA signs including accumulation of vessels in the colonic wall, early filling vein, and supplying enlarged artery were present in 55%, 50%, and 22% of cases, respectively. None of these signs were present in the 8 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and negative diagnostic investigation of the digestive tract.

CONCLUSIONS: CTA is a sensitive, specific, well-tolerated, and minimally invasive tool for the diagnosis of colonic angiodysplasia.