Waldmannrsquo;s disease revealed by chronic diarrhea and lymphedema: Case report

Abstract

Intestinal lymphangiesctasia (IL) is a rare disease characterized by the dilation of intestinal lymphatics. It can be classified as primary or secondary depending on the underlying etiology. Usually seen in childhood or adolescence, chronic diarrhea and diffuse edema are the main clinical manifestations of the disease. True lymphoedemas can also be present and affect the lower and upper limbs, they are concomitant with the diagnosis or occur during the course. The diagnosis is based on the visualization of duodenal lymphangiesctasia. The primitive nature of the disease being affirmed by the elimination of the diseases causing secondary lymphangiectasias. Treatment is based on a strict hypo lipid diet enriched with medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). We present through this work the observation of a 12-month-old infant who presented with primary intestinal lymphangiesctasia revealed by chronic diarrhea with lymphoedema of the left upper limb.