Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia is a rare disease of the intestinal lymphatics,
presenting with protein-losing enteropathy, hypoproteinemia, bilateral lower limb
edema, and ascites [1]
[2]
[3]
[4]. Here we report capsule endoscopic findings in a patient with primary intestinal
lymphangiectasia.
A 51-year-old woman was admitted due to swelling of her legs and abdomen, and shortness
of breath for nearly 3 years. She did not have diarrhea or weight loss. Her medical
history revealed no trauma or abdominal surgery. On physical examination, the breath
sounds in the lower lung fields were diminished; there was abdominal swelling and
dullness on percussion, and pitting lower-limb edema. Laboratory findings were generally
normal except for hypoalbuminemia (2.42 g/dL), hypoproteinemia (4.7 g/dL), and a low
absolute lymphocyte count (850 mm3). Her serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level was normal and collagen markers
were negative, but serum levels of IgA (78.7 mg/dL; normal 82 – 453) and IgG (555 mg/dL;
normal 751 – 1560) were low. On abdomen ultrasound imaging, only ascites was demonstrated.
The examination of ascitic fluid was consistent with chylous ascites: high triglycerides
(1700 mg/dL; normal 0 – 200), low albumin (0.3 g/dL; normal 3.5 – 5.2), low total
protein (3.1 g/dL; normal 6.4 – 8.3), high adenosine deaminase (47 U/L; normal 0 – 40),
and 40 leukocytes/mm3. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on ascitic fluid was negative for tuberculosis.
However, endoscopy revealed pinhead-sized, white lesions in the second part of the
duodenum. Colonoscopic findings were normal. Histopathologic examination of the duodenal
specimens showed dilated lacteals, indicative of intestinal lymphangiectasia ([Fig. 1]). Lymphoscintigraphy demonstrated abnormally dilated intestinal lymphatic channels,
concordant with intestinal lymphangiectasia, but the exact position of the lesion
within the intestine could not be determined. Cardiac echo and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) did not show any pathology. Capsule endoscopy showed diffuse edematous
mucosa in the small intestine, covered by swollen, whitish villi ([Fig. 2]). The proximal intestinal mucosa was slightly patchy and atrophic ([Fig. 3]). In light of all these findings, the patient was diagnosed as having primary intestinal
lymphangiectasia. Subssequently, a low-fat diet including medium-chain triglycerides
was instituted along with counseling at follow-up.
Fig. 1 The intestinal mucosa in a 51-year-old woman with leg and abdominal swelling, and
shortness of breath. Endothelial-lined spaces are seen both in the superficial stroma
of the villi and in the deeper lamina propria (with the light proteinaceous material
inside) (hematoxylin and eosin, magnification × 200).
Fig. 2 Capsule endoscopic view showing the diffusely edematous intestinal mucosa covered
with enlarged whitish villi.
Fig. 3 Capsule endoscopic view showing patchy atrophic mucosa in the proximal small intestine.
Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AC_2AB
