Therapeutic Lymphatic Embolization in Pediatric Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia
10.3349/ymj.2021.62.5.470
- Author:
Yiyoung KWON
1
;
Eun Sil KIM
;
Yon Ho CHOE
;
Dongho HYUN
;
Mi Jin KIM
Author Information
1. Departments of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2021;62(5):470-473
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) can cause leakage of lymphatic fluids into the gastrointestinal tract, eventually leading to protein-losing enteropathy. A 15-year-old male patient, whose disease began at the age of 8 years, recently felt worsening general weakness. After diagnosing abnormal lymphatic lesions in the duodenum through endoscopy with biopsy and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography, glue embolization of the leaking duodenal lymphatic channel was successfully performed. This procedure is typically reserved for adult patients, although as shown in this case, it can be properly performed in children. His serum albumin level was initially 1.5 g/dL, but elevated to 5.0 g/dL after two sessions of lymphatic embolization. Accordingly, we suggest that embolization could potentially be considered a first-line treatment for focal lesions of primary intestinal IL.
