Secondary intestinal lymphangiectasia

Definition

Secondary intestinal lymphangiectasia is an acquired from of intestinal lymphangiectasia manifesting as a protein-losing enteropathy due to another disorder such as Crohn’s disease, congestive heart failure, sarcoidosis, Turner syndrome and often in patients who have undergone a Fontan operation. It is characterized by malabsorption, diarrhea, edema due hypoproteinemia, steatorrhea and serosal effusions.