Intestinal lymphangiectasia secondary to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
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.
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008201:Lymphangiectasis, Intestinal / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D013724:Teratoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents