SEARCH RESULTS FOR: Diverticulosis-and-Angiodysplasia

Diverticulosis and Angiodysplasia

Diverticulosis and Angiodysplasia: Pathogenesis and clinical features Diverticulosis Angiodysplasia Disturbances in enteric nervous system regulation leading to uncoordinated or exaggerated peristaltic waves Older age Renal failure Constipation from low fiber diets Parts of colon susceptible to obstruction leading to leading to vessel alterations in weakening and vascular blood dilation flow Autoimmune diseases cause inflammatory vascular damage Abnormal angiogenesis (vessel formation) from idiopathic causes von Willebrand Deficiency (lack of vWF) aggravates bleeding tendency Aging weakens the circular muscles strutting the colon High intracolonic pressure primarily in the sigmoid colon (e.g., from peristalsis pushing against colonic waste that is low in fiber & harder to move) Muscular hypertrophy of the colon in response to repeated high- pressure contractions of the smooth muscle as a compensatory mechanism to move stool in high resistance areas Arterial-venous malformations (AVMs; abnormal connections between arteries & veins) bypass capillary beds and rise to the mucosa of the lower GI tract Flat cherry-red vessels originating from a central artery as seen on upper GI endoscopy or colonoscopy Colon wall forms little outpouchings (diverticuli) that span around 3-10mm Gradual & repetitive expansion thins the diverticular wall Stretching of colonic serosa stimulates somatic sensory nerves innervating the colon Colonic diverticuli trap feces Venous rupture of submucosal veins in the High pressure arterial blood flows colon directly into veins, causing venous dilation & weakening of vascular walls Overlap with other vascular lesions such as Dieulafoy’s Capillaries within diverticuli burst and leak blood into the colon lumen Stretching of nociceptors that are primarily sensitive to mechanical stimuli such as distension of the colonic wall Bacteria have more time to metabolize the undigested materials, producing gas Irregular defecation (constipation, increased frequency) GI tract lumen bleeding due to irritation of these malformations Large volume blood loss Iron deficiency anemia Lower GI bleed (usually stops by itself) Bloating & cramping (most often painless) Flatulence (accumulation of gas) Lower GI bleed (occult, slow, asymptomatic) Author: Yan Yu Ali Babwani Reviewers: Jason Baserman Jennifer Au Paige Sheleme Tony Gu Luiza Radu Sergio F. Sharif Kerri Novak* Sylvain Coderre* * MD at time of publication Legend: Re-Published Aug 4, 2019 and Nov 23, 2025 on www.thecalgaryguide.com Pathophysiology Mechanism Sign/Symptom/Lab Finding Complications