Endoscopic cryotherapy for the treatment of bleeding mucosal vascular lesions of the GI tract: a pilot study

Background. Thermal therapy is the cornerstone of endoscopic treatment of bleeding mucosal lesions of the GI tract. However, there is a 20% failure rate and contact devices may be cumbersome in the treatment of large bleeding areas. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic cryotherapy for bleeding mucosal vascular lesions. Methods: Patients with recurrent bleeding from diffuse mucosal vascular lesions were treated with cryotherapy and had endoscopic and clinical follow-up. Results: Twenty-six patients with gastric and duodenal arteriovenous malformations (n = 7), watermelon stomach (n = 7), radiation-induced gastritis (n = 5), and radiation-induced proctitis (n = 7) were treated with mean of 3.4 (1.6) sessions. The best results were achieved in patients with radiation-induced proctitis, with cessation of bleeding in all 7 patients. Cryotherapy was also effective in patients with multiple arteriovenous malformations (86%) and watermelon stomach (71%). It was less effective in patients with radiation-induced damage to stomach and duodenum, although all patients in this group were debilitated because of disseminated malignancy. Conclusions: Cryotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for bleeding from diffuse mucosal lesions of the GI tract. Bleeding from radiation-induced proctitis and multiple arteriovenous malformations is particularly responsive to endoscopic cryotherapy.