Definition:
Lymphangiectasia is an intestinal disease commonly afflicting dogs, but also affecting humans in rare cases. Distinct characteristic of lymphangiectasia include chronic diarrhea and loss of proteins such as globulin and serum albumin.
Diagnosis:
When lymphangiectasia is suspected, diagnosis can be confirmed through biopsy. Hypoproteinemia, along with lowered levels of lymphocytes and cholesterol, frequently support the diagnosis. Low calcium, or hypocalcaemia, may also be an indicative factor.
Conducting a medical ultrasonography may reveal striations lining the intestinal mucosa, which indicate dilated lacteals.
Treatment:
A low-fat, high-protein diet is imposed in lymphangiectasia treatment. In humans, the disease can be managed with medium chain triglycerides (MCT) or Octreotides.
Symptoms and Signs:
The most common symptom associated with lymphangiectasia is chronic diarrhea. A decrease in serum protein levels (hypoproteinemia), leading to low oncotic pressure, is also a common indicator. Other indicative signs include pleural effusion, edema of the trunk and extremities, and ascites. With prolonged lymphangiectasia, patients may also experience severe weight loss.
Causes:
Considered a chronic form of protein-losing enteropathy, lymphangiectasia is caused by a congenital malformation of the lymphatic nodes. Ruptured lymphatics may lead to protein loss in the intestines. Secondary causes for lymphangiectasia include cancer-causing lymphatic obstructions (ie. granulomas), or increased central venous pressure (CVP) that cause abnormal lymph drainage.
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