Angiodysplasia of the right colon treated by embolization with ivalon (polyvinyl alcohol)

Angiodysplasia of the colon is being recognized with increasing frequency as a source of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly. In one patient with colonic angiodysplasia, superselective segmental embolization of the ileo-colic artery with Ivalon resulted in the cessation of bleeding without causing bowel infarction. However, because of the development of collateral branches to the angiodysplastic malformation, bleeding recurred. While colectomy remains the treatment of choice in younger patients, in high risk patients embolization with a permanent embolic material, such as Ivalon, is an attractive alternative.