Gastrointestinal Hemangiomas

To the Editor.  —The article, "Gastrointestinal Hemangiomas," in the Archives (104:704-706, 1972) reflects an attitude as current as its bibliography (20 of 26 references prior to 1960). In the section "Comments," the authors state, "Selective percutaneous angiography is helpful but only in those cases where the bleeding is brisk." It has been well documented that hemangiomas, arteriovenous malformations, and telangiectasia can be demonstrated angiographically regardless of whether active bleeding is in progress¹ at the time of the examination. This diagnosis rests on the early roentgenographic opacification of venous structures at the site of the lesion. The appearance of contrast material in the intestinal lumen would only serve to reinforce the diagnosis if the patient were actively bleeding at the time of the arteriogram. The lack of a current bibliography would infer the authors' unawareness of usefulness of this technique.This article also implies that laparotomy is the only effective