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==Introduction==
==Description==
'''Lymphangiectasia''' is a disease of the [[Lymphatic Vessels - Anatomy & Physiology|lymphatic vessels]] that results in the leakage of protein-rich [[Lymph - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph]]. The term is usually taken to mean intestinal lymphangiectasia (in which lymph is lost into the intestinal lumen, producing a [[Protein Losing Enteropathy|protein-losing enteropathy]](PLE) and severe lipid malabsorption) but thoracic and generalised lymphangiectasia have been reported.
'''Lymphangiectasia''' is a disease of the [[Lymphatic Vessels - Anatomy & Physiology|lymphatic vessels]] that results in the leakage of protein-rich [[Lymph - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph]]. The term is usually taken to mean intestinal lymphangiectasia (in which lymph is lost into the intestinal lumen, producing a [[Protein Losing Enteropathy|protein-losing enteropathy]](PLE) and severe lipid malabsorption) but thoracic and generalised lymphangiectasia have been reported.
Preferably, a full thickness intestinal biopsy should be taken to achieve a definitive diagnosis. Care should be taken as hypoproteinaemic animals are at much greater risk of dehiscence at the biopsy sites, potentially leading to an acute septic [[Peritonitis - Cats and Dogs|peritonitis]]. On histological examination of the biopsy sample, accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages may be detected together with a granulomatous response around distended lymphatics.
Preferably, a full thickness intestinal biopsy should be taken to achieve a definitive diagnosis. Care should be taken as hypoproteinaemic animals are at much greater risk of dehiscence at the biopsy sites, potentially leading to an acute septic [[Peritonitis - Cats and Dogs|peritonitis]]. On histological examination of the biopsy sample, accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages may be detected together with a granulomatous response around distended lymphatics.
It is essential to distinguish a true lymphangiectasia from secondary lacteal dilation that occurs with [[Inflammatory Bowel Disease|Inflammatory Bowel Disease]] (IBD). In the case of IBD, an inflammatory infiltrate will be seen in the lamina propria but the degree of infiltration may be underestimated if [[Oedema - Pathology|oedema]] is present.
It is essential to distinguish a true lymphangiectasia from secondary lacteal dilation that occurs with [[Inflammatory Bowel Disease|Inflammatory Bowel Disease]] (IBD). In the case of IBD, an inflammatory infiltrate will be seen in the lamina propria but the degree of infiltration may be underestimated if [[Oedema|oedema]] is present.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
The long-term prognosis is guarded as, although animals may respond to medical therapy initially, they frequently relapse and develop clinical signs associated with hypoproteinaemia.
The long-term prognosis is guarded as, although animals may respond to medical therapy initially, they frequently relapse and develop clinical signs associated with hypoproteinaemia.
==Literature Search==
{{Learning
|Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/canis/Content/Disease/dis02922.asp, Canine lymphatic diseases]
|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=Lymphangiectasia&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=54&y=14&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all Lymphangiectasia publications]
}}
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=Lymphangiectasia&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=54&y=14&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all Lymphangiectasia publications]
==References==
==References==
*Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''.
*Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''.
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[[Category:Intestine_-_Inflammatory_Pathology]]
[[Category:Intestine_-_Inflammatory_Pathology]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]
[[Category:Intestinal Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Intestinal Diseases - Cat]]
[[Category:Expert_Review]]
[[Category:Expert_Review]]