Intestinal lymphangiectasia refers to the dilatation of intestinal lacteals cause by obstruction of the small intestinal lymphatics.
There are congenital or acquired forms, which may be sporadic or familial.
Primary forms occurs in children and young adults.
Secondary forms developed as a consequence of lymph drainage obstruction from Whipple disease, mesenteric tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease, lymphenteric fistula, an intestinal lymphoma.