Abstract
Protein-losing enteropathy, along with plastic bronchitis, is one of the most severe complications in patients with single ventricular hemodynamics. Visualization of the central lymphatic system and timely assessment of its condition makes it possible to identify the development of such complications in the early stages of their development.
To present a case of protein-losing enteropathy diagnosis in a patient after Fontan surgery using contrast-free magnetic resonance (MR) lymphography. MR lymphography visualized the thoracic lymphatic duct throughout, dilated throughout and convoluted. An increase in the MR signal from the basal parts of the lungs, liver parenchyma, retroperitoneal space, intestinal walls was revealed, which can be regarded as manifestations of lymph perfusion syndrome. After the examination, according to the totality of laboratory and instrumental studies, taking into account clinical symptoms, the patient was diagnosed with protein-losing enteropathy.
MR-lymphography can become an important screening tool to assess the risk of severe lymphatic complications and identify early signs of impaired lymph outflow.
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About the authors
- Tatiana V. Mataeva, Cand. Med. Sci., Radiologist; ORCID
- Maria A. Shlyappo, Cand. Med. Sci., Radiologist; ORCID
- Svetlana A. Aleksandrova, Cand. Med. Sci., Senior Researcher, Head of Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging; ORCID
- Lyudmila A. Yurpolskaya, Dr. Med. Sci., Lead Researcher; ORCID
- Aleksey V. Dorofeev, Cand. Med. Sci., Head of Department of X-ray Diagnostics, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging; ORCID
