Evaluation of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia by capsule endoscopy.

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia is a rare disease of the intestinal lymphatics, presenting with protein-losing enteropathy, hypoproteinemia, bilateral lower limb edema, and ascites [1–4]. 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 (2.42g/dL), hypoproteinemia (4.7g/dL), and a low absolute lymphocyte count (850mm3). Her serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level was normal and collagen markers were negative, but serum levels of IgA (78.7mg/dL; normal 82–453) and IgG (555mg/dL; normal 751–1560) were low. On abdomen ultrasound imaging, only ascites was demonstrated. The examination of ascitic fluidwas consistent with chylous ascites: high triglycerides (1700mg/dL; normal 0–200), low albumin (0.3g/dL; normal 3.5–5.2), low total protein (3.1g/dL; normal 6.4–8.3), high adenosine deaminase (47U/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 secondpartof theduodenum. 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.