Difference between revisions of "Lymphangiectasia"
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
===Clinical Signs=== | ===Clinical Signs=== | ||
| − | + | *Weight loss | |
| + | *Chronic diarrhoea, steatorrhoea | ||
| + | *Ascites, oedema or chylothorax may result if there is severe hypoproteinaemia or lymphatic obstruction | ||
| + | *Increased appetite | ||
| + | *Vomiting, lethargy and anorexia (less common) | ||
===Laboratory Tests=== | ===Laboratory Tests=== | ||
====Haematology==== | ====Haematology==== | ||
| − | *Lymphopaenia | + | *'''Panhypoproteinaemia''' |
| + | *'''Lymphopaenia''' | ||
====Biochemistry==== | ====Biochemistry==== | ||
| − | *Hypocholesterolaemia | + | *'''Hypocholesterolaemia''' |
| + | *Hypocalcaemia due to hypoproteinaemia, vitamin D and calcium malabsorption | ||
| + | *Hypomagnesaemia | ||
====Other Tests==== | ====Other Tests==== | ||
| + | *Faeacal α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations may be used to confirm protein-losing enteropathy | ||
===Diagnostic Imaging=== | ===Diagnostic Imaging=== | ||
| − | + | Abdominal ultrasonography may reveal pleural fluid or ascites as well as help to narrow down other differential diagnoses. Mucosa of intestinal loops may appear thickened due to oedema. | |
Revision as of 11:30, 12 August 2009
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This article is still under construction. |
Signalment
- Breed predisposition:
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Lundehund
- Rottweiler
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
Description
Lymphangiectasia is characterised by dilation and dysfunction of the lymphatic vessels of the intestines. Consequently, protein rich lymph leaks into the intestinal lumen, causing a protein-losing enteropathy and severe lipid malabsorption. It is relatively common in dogs but rare in cats.
Lymphangiectasia can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary lymphangiectasia may form part of of a localised or a more widespread lymphatic abnormality. Secondary lymphangiectasia is the result of lymphatic obstruction. The obstruction may be caused by:
- inflammation, neoplastic infiltration o fibrosis
- thoracic duct obstruction
- right sided cardiac failure
- caval obstruction
- hepatic disease
Lymphagiectasia often accompanies a lipogranulomatous inflammation, but it is not clear which is the primary event. Lymphangitis can cause lymphatic obstruction but the leakage of lymph can cause a granuloma to form.
Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
- Weight loss
- Chronic diarrhoea, steatorrhoea
- Ascites, oedema or chylothorax may result if there is severe hypoproteinaemia or lymphatic obstruction
- Increased appetite
- Vomiting, lethargy and anorexia (less common)
Laboratory Tests
Haematology
- Panhypoproteinaemia
- Lymphopaenia
Biochemistry
- Hypocholesterolaemia
- Hypocalcaemia due to hypoproteinaemia, vitamin D and calcium malabsorption
- Hypomagnesaemia
Other Tests
- Faeacal α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations may be used to confirm protein-losing enteropathy
Diagnostic Imaging
Abdominal ultrasonography may reveal pleural fluid or ascites as well as help to narrow down other differential diagnoses. Mucosa of intestinal loops may appear thickened due to oedema.
Histopathology
Treatment
Prognosis
References
- Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E. C. (2000) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diseases of the Dog and Cat Volume 2 (Fifth Edition) W.B. Saunders Company.
- Hall, E.J, Simpson, J.W. and Williams, D.A. (2005) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (2nd Edition) BSAVA
- Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition) Mosby Elsevier.