Intestinal lymphangiectasia is an uncommon group of disorders where lymph vessels of the small intestine are distended and blocked or even leak. Usually these vessels transport fats, proteins and immune cells to the blood. It causes IL to cause lymph fluid to leak into the gut lumen that results in malabsorption of fats and protein, loss of fluid and nutrient deficiencies.
The symptoms tend to be associated with ineffective absorption of nutrients and alteration of fluids:
IL can either be primary (since birth) or secondary (acquired later). Common causes include:
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Intestinal lymphangiectasia is 1 of the disorders where lymph vessels in the small intestine are enlarged or blocked so that fats, proteins, and fluids leech out rather than going on to the blood stream.
No. Intestinal lymphangiectasia is an uncommon disorder, which may appear at birth (congenital) or arise later in life(acquired).
The early symptoms are usually a chronic diarrhea, swelling of the legs or face, belly aches or bloating, fatigue, and inexplicable loss of weight even though one eats normally.
Yes. A high-protein low-fat diet with an increased medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) could decrease lymph flow in the intestine and manage the symptoms.
Cystic lymphangiectasia is a type of intestinal lymphangiectasia which is characterized by having numerous enlarged lymphatic tracks which appear as cyst-like cavity on the imaging examination.
The diagnosis is usually performed using blood tests to measure the levels of proteins and fats, the inspection of the intestinal mucous membrane using an endoscope, and the imaging (MRI or CT) to look at the lymphatic vessels.
Most of the treatment, such as dietary modification and supplementation is reasonable to follow. Regular follow-up therapy is necessary to control dosage and anticipate side effects of medications such as diuretics or antibiotics.
The time taken to recuperate is dependent upon the nature and degree of surgery. Certain patients can still be able to resume normal lives within several weeks and others can take several months before they are fully healed.
Yes. The intestinal lymphangiectasia commonly occurs in the early childhood. Children need life-long nutrition and observation to be able to grow and develop properly.
GastroDoxs Jersey Village has had gastroenterologists who have specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal lymphangiectasia among adults and children.
