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Measurement of Liver Stiffness Using Atomic Force Microscopy Coupled with Polarization Microscopy
Published on: July 20, 2022
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Intestinal lymphangiectasia and reversible high liver stiffness
Laura Milazzo1, Anna Maria Peri, Lucia Lodi
1Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|January 23, 2014
Summary
Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL), a protein-losing enteropathy, can present with unusual liver stiffness. This case highlights the connection between lymphatic and liver health, showing stiffness improves with PIL treatment.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Lymphatic System Research
Background:
- Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a rare protein-losing enteropathy.
- PIL involves dilated lymphatic vessels in the small intestine, leading to edema and malabsorption.
- Symptoms include lower limb edema, effusions, and vitamin D malabsorption causing osteoporosis.
Observation:
- A case of long-misdiagnosed PIL with a unique liver presentation is described.
- The patient exhibited significantly elevated liver stiffness on transient elastography.
- Liver stiffness values decreased as the patient's clinical condition improved.
Findings:
- The study details a peculiar liver manifestation in a patient with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia.
- Transient elastography revealed high liver stiffness, which correlated with disease activity.
- Clinical improvement in PIL led to a measurable reduction in liver stiffness.
Implications:
- This case underscores the intricate relationship between the lymphatic and hepatic circulatory systems.
- It suggests liver stiffness may serve as a biomarker for PIL activity and treatment response.
- Further research into the lymphatic-enteral-hepatic axis in PIL is warranted.
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