Small Bowel Bleeding Due to Vascular Lesions: Pathogenesis and Management

Abstract

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive review and recent updates in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of small bowel vascular lesions. Recent Findings: Recent terminology has shifted from “obscure GI bleeding” to “small bowel bleeding”, with the former reserved for cases when the source of bleeding is not detected despite a thorough evaluation of the entire GI tract, including the small bowel. Recent diagnostic advances including imaging, video capsule endoscopy (VCE), and deep enteroscopy have allowed for the identification of most small bowel bleeding sources. Summary: The incidence of small bowel bleeding remains a relatively uncommon event. Vascular lesions remain the most common etiology of small bowel bleeding, with angiodysplasia representing the majority of vascular small bowel lesions. Standard therapeutic approach includes adequate resuscitation and endoscopic evaluation, with consideration of medical therapy (including somatostatin analogues and antiangiogenic agents), endoscopic interventions, radiologic procedures, or surgical therapy in select patients.