Die hereditäre hemorrhagische Telangiektasie: Untersuchungen zur Multiorganbeteiligung bei Patienten mit Epistaxis als Leitsymptom

Occult visceral arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) may be a constant threat to patients suffering from Hereditary, Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome (M. ROW). HHT patients predominantly become symptomatic through chronic, recurrent epistaxis, a symptom, which could alert physicians at an early stage of the disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate, whether occult, visceral arterio-venous malformations could be detected by screening imaging studies in patients suffering from HHT. In a comprehensive diagnostic study Rendu-Osler-Weber patients were examined for potential visceral arterio-venous malformations by physical examination and non-invasive imaging techniques. Conclusions: Comprehensive screening for occult AVMs in HHT patients seems to be justified to avert potential complications in this group of patients.