What is angiodysplasia of the colon?
Angiodysplasia of the colon is the presence of aggregation of small and weak blood vessels in the colon wall which may leak or bleed and may cause anemia in some cases.
How is angiodysplasia diagnosed?
It is also diagnosed with endoscopic processes like colonoscopy or Capsule endoscopy and it can be accompanied with imaging processes like CT angiography to find bleeding vessels.
What is the ICD-10 code for angiodysplasia with bleeding?
The code of angiodysplasia of the colon with bleeding is determined by the ICD-10 code as K31.819.
Can angiodysplasia affect the small intestine?
Yes. The angiodysplasia could be presented in either the jejunum (ICD-10: K55.01) or any others in the small intestine (K55.00) and possibly lead to the same bleeding problems.
Do all cases of angiodysplasia require surgery?
No. The majority of cases are endoscopically treated using such methods as argon plasma coagulation or medically using the sphere of medical treatment; severe or intractable bleeding is subject to surgery.
Can diet or food prevent angiodysplasia?
What the diet can not do is to prevent the formation of abnormal vessels, however, eating iron rich can be able to control the anemia due to chronic bleeding.
Is bleeding from angiodysplasia dangerous?
Although bleeding may result in anemia or have to be treated by transfusion most bleeding cases can be managed through endoscopic therapy and pharmaceutical means.
What does "pathology outlines" mean in this context?
Pathology outlines tell us the appearance of the abnormal blood vessels with the help of microscopes on the sample of tissues.
Can I have angiodysplasia without any symptoms?
Yes. Angiodysplasia can go unnoticed and unknown to many of its patients who might only come to learn about it in the process of routine check-ups.
When should I see a doctor regarding angiodysplasia?
In case of fatigue that cannot be explained, reduction in the level of iron, blood in your stool, you should consult a gastrointestinal specialist immediately.
Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Bharat Pothuri, MD, FACG
| Updated 03-17-2026