Enteropathy with protein loss
Protein-loss enteropathy (EPB) is a disease of the small intestine characterized by the loss of albumin and other proteins in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract.
There are 2 types of pathology of lymphatic vessels: type 1-primary intestinal lymphangiectasia. By the name of the author who described it, Waldman's disease. This type is characterized by a malformation of the lymphatic vessels of the small intestine with a violation of the outflow of lymph and its accumulation in the lymphatic vessels of the submucosal layer.
Secondary lymphangiectasia develops when the patency of the lymphatic vessels is impaired, due to their compression by fibrous tissue, adhesions, and an abdominal tumor. The reason for the loss of protein can be damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine with an increase in its permeability.
Primary EPB manifests itself at the age of 2-3 years. Massive edema of the lower extremities or even the entire body comes to the fore in the clinical picture. The severity of the edematous syndrome corresponds to the degree of decrease in the level of protein in the blood serum (hypoproteinemia). In secondary EPB, edema may be asymmetric.
Clinical symptomsthat allow you to suspect the disease:
- massive edema of the lower extremities or the entire body
- hypoproteinemia
- convulsions
- copious diarrhea
If one or more symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor who will assess the condition and prescribe an examination.
Examination to establish the diagnosis.
The diagnosis is made by histological examination of preparations of the small intestine mucosa obtained by esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
The danger of the disease is the increase in hypoproteinemia, edema, the appearance of ascites, fluid in the pleura.
Treatment: a low-fat, high-protein diet enriched with medium-chain fatty acids. If only a segment of the small intestine is affected, its surgical removal is possible
In the Moscow Clinical Scientific and Practical Center named after A. S. Loginov, the treatment of enteropathy with protein loss is carried out by gastroenterologists.
Do not delay your visit to the specialists of our Center. This will help to diagnose this condition in a timely manner and choose the right treatment tactics. Doctors of the Department of Non-inflammatory Bowel Pathology of the State Medical Institution of the Moscow State Medical Center named after A. S. Loginov DZM are always ready to help you.
