Lymphangiectasia of the small intestine as an acute surgical problem.

Two cases of lymphangiectasia of the small intestine in elderly women are presented. The condition manifested itself in one case by a sudden perforation of the jejunum; in the other case by ileus of the terminal ileum. In both cases the disease process pursued a relentless course that ultimately led to the death of the patients. Elective surgery in patients with lymphangiectasia has been performed before. Acute surgery of lymphangiectasia of the small intestine with complaints of acute abdomen, obstruction or perforation as presenting signs of the disease has not been described previously.