| lymphangiectasis, intestinal | Dilatation of the intestinal lymphatic system, particularly in the lacteals in the intestinal villi, characterised by protein-losing enteropathy, steatorrhoea, and lymphopenia. It may be congenital, due to abnormality of the lymphatic system (as in milroy's disease) or acquired, due to involvement of the major intestinal lymphatic ducts by inflammatory processes or neoplasm, or to increased lymphatic pressure, as in valvular heart disease and constrictive pericarditis. (12 Dec 1998) |
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