Abstract
We report a case of intestinal lymphangiectasia secondary to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The patient also had small bowel bacterial overgrowth and pancreatic insufficiency. Lymphatic ectasia as a histological feature has been described previously in association with postradiotherapy malabsorption, but radiation-induced lymphangiectasia producing clinical manifestations has hitherto not been reported. Replacement of dietary long-chain fats with medium-chain triglycerides, pancreatic enzyme supplements, and a short course of oxytetracycline, resulted in dramatic clinical improvement. The possibility of intestinal lymphangiectasia should be borne in mind in patients with postradiotherapy malabsorption. A low serum albumin and lymphocyte count should draw attention to this possibility.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 939-942 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Digestive Diseases and Sciences |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1987 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- chemotherapy
- intestinal lymphanglectasia
- radiotherapy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Gastroenterology