Tetsuro Tanaka

Endoscopic and histopathological study on primary and secondary intestinal lymphangiectasia

Jejunal endoscopy and histopathological study of biopsied specimens were performed to clarify states of jejunal mucosa and the mechanism of enteric protein loss in six patients with protein-losing enteropathy, including four patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia, one patient with constrictive pericarditis associated with dilated lymphatics of the intestine, and one patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome. Three cardinal endoscopic findings, scattered white spots, white villi, and chyle-like substances covering the mucosa, were demonstrated in protein-losing enteropathy. Scattered white spots indicated markedly dilated lymphatics in the stroma of the villi. White villi seemed to be due to fats including chylomicrons or fat droplets in the absorptive cells, interepithelial spaces, and/or stroma, even though the biopsies were obtained in the fasting state. Therefore, white villi suggest impaired transport of fats from intestinal epithelial cells to intestinal lymphatics. These three cardinal findings are thought to be characteristic for protein-losing enteropathy secondary to lymphatic disorders.

DIFFUSE SCATTERING OF X-RAYS BY GAMMA-RAY IRRADIATED ROCHELLE SALT

Rochelle sait crystals were examined with x rays both before and after a wide range of gamma irradiations. No remarkable change in the diffraction patterns was observed at approximately 10/sup 5/ roentgens. The intensity of diffuse spots in the Laue photographs increases with dosage. With still further increase of dosage. the Laue spots split and the intensity of diffuse spots is less marked. In the stage where spot splitting has not yet taken place, diffuse spots associated with Laue spots were found to have neither streaks no r fine stnuctures. (D.L.C.)