Intestinal lymphangiectasia: the variability of presentation. A study of five cases.

Five patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia are described. They all had evidence of protein-loss from the gut but this was of a variable degree. In four patients the diagnosis was first suggested by the appearances of jejunal biopsy. The factors influencing presentation are discussed as are the possible co-existence of other gastronitestinal disorders with this congenital abnormality. It seems likely that the condition is commoner than hitherto believed.