Synopsis of endoscopic and other morphological findings in intestinal lymphangiectasia.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia may present as a primary congenital disorder as well as a secondary form due to numerous underlying diseases. Endoscopically, whitish swollen tips of the villi are fairly characteristic; histologically, dilatation of the lymphatics can be demonstrated. By means of electron microscopy dilated intercellular spaces with aggregation of protein precipitations as well as ectatic lymph vessels with abnormal structure are found. Possible relations to the pathomechanism are discussed.