Developmental Disorders of the Lymphatics

An information blog for disorders of the lymphatics. For all articles, please click on "Archives" - Due to spammers, I will no longer allow comments, sorry.

Saturday, June 30, 2007

A case of lymphangioleiomyomatosis found due to chylous ascites, pleural effusion and pelvic lymphadenopathy

A case of lymphangioleiomyomatosis found due to chylous ascites, pleural effusion and pelvic lymphadenopathy

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 2007

Yano T, Hasizume I, Kasamatsu N, Kato T, Shibata M, Ashinuma N, Kobayashi K, Yasuda T, Nakamura A.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hamamatsu Medical Center.

We report a case of lymphangioleiomyomatosis, complaining initially of abdominal distension due to massive chylous ascites. The patient was a 28-year-old woman in whom abdominal ultrasound had strongly suggested the existence of both pelvic lymphadenopathy and massive ascites, the latter subsequently turning out to be chylous. Pelvic lymph node biopsy yielded a diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest showed no remarkable findings except for very few cystic changes in the lung parenchyma.

Pulmonary function had remained normal except for a temporary constrictive pattern when chylous pleural effusion developed. No airflow obstruction was detected on pulmonary function tests.

Although lymphangioleiomyomatosis is often associated with pulmonary symptoms, we should bear in mind the possibility of lymphangioleiomyomatosis even in the absence of such symptoms when facing any woman of child-bearing age with abdominal chylous ascites of unknown etiology.

PMID: 17554983 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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