Refractory primary intestinal lymphangiectasia effectively managed with subcutaneous octreotide

This case report describes a young man with a history of lymphoedema and long-standing gastrointestinal symptoms since childhood. After undergoing extensive investigations, he was diagnosed with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL). The patient's condition was refractory to conventional medium-chain triglyceride diet but responded well to treatment with subcutaneous octreotide. We have shown octreotide to be effective in improving the pathological effects of primary IL, associated with improved clinical well-being and serology, but it is not a curative therapy.