Elephantiasis is defined as enlargement of a limb, usually caused by obstructed lymphatic vessels.
Presentation
Case-control study of skin biopsy and excision specimens histologically diagnosed with lymphedema and presenting as a localized skin tumor identified during a 4-year period. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Entire Body System
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Congestive Heart Failure
Chronic lymphedema, either congenital or secondary to infection, surgery, radiation, neoplastic obstruction, obesity, portal hypertension, or chronic congestive heart failure, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Myxedema
Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa (ENV) is a rare form of pretibial myxedema, which is nearly always associated with Graves' disease. A case is presented here of Graves' disease who had elephantiasis variety of pre-tibial myxedema (PTM). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
A notable sufferer of Proteus syndrome was the so-called Elephant Man.Other causes may include: Repeated streptococcal infection Lymphadenectomy Hereditary birth defects Pretibial myxedema "Lymphatic filariasis". World Health Organization. [en.wikipedia.org]
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Leg Edema
Common causes of leg edema – the diseases of the heart or veins, not lymphedema. Edema is usually located around the tarsus. [medical-enc.com]
Gastrointestinal
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Abdominal Mass
We present the case of a 51-year-old woman who had progressively developed an enormous pediculated abdominal mass hanging down her knees. The skin was thickened, hyperpigmented, and fissured. She had a history of multiple abdominal cellulites. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Cardiovascular
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Heart Failure
Chronic lymphedema, either congenital or secondary to infection, surgery, radiation, neoplastic obstruction, obesity, portal hypertension, or chronic congestive heart failure, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Cardiomegaly
American man presented with a medical history of morbid obesity (weighing more than 550 lb), benign prostatic hyperplasia, hyperlipidemia, gynecomastia, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psoriasis, sleep apnea, and cardiomegaly [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Musculoskeletal
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Muscular Atrophy
It has been reported that maintaining a seated posture obstructs both lymphoducts and veins because of bending the groin, decreases their return flow by inducing muscular atrophy, and causes subcutaneous edema in the lower limbs. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Skin
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Tropical Ulcer
RESULTS: Over a total of 511 patients, lymphedema resulted from trauma (40.7%), chronic venous insufficiency (12.5%), deep mycoses (10.8%), lymphatic filariasis (9.2%), elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (7.0%), tropical ulcer (6.3%), leprosy (4.9%), recurrent [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Cutaneous Manifestation
There is no standard treatment for this rare cutaneous manifestation. This article describes debridement that is helpful when performed in addition to physiotherapy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Skin Edema
Edema of the limbs is graded on the severity of the edema Grade I – Pitting (after pressing the edematous limb with the finger tip for 30 seconds, the fluid gets displaced into the surrounding tissue and leaves a ‘depression’ in the skin) edema which [pediatriconcall.com]
Neurologic
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Mental Distress
Chronic mental distress and disability can result as it interferes with daily/routine activities of the affected individual. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Urogenital
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Swelling of the Scrotum
Definitions of elephantiasis 1 n hypertrophy of certain body parts (usually legs and scrotum); the end state of the disease filariasis Types: elephantiasis neuromatosa hypertrophy of a limb chyloderma, elephantiasis scroti swelling of the scrotum resulting [vocabulary.com]
People with the disease can suffer from lymphedema and elephantiasis and in men, swelling of the scrotum, called hydrocele. Lymphatic filariasis is a leading cause of permanent disability worldwide. [cdc.gov]
In men, elephantiasis can also result in the swelling of the scrotum (hydrocele). Elephantiasis affects the poorest communities, preventing individuals from living a productive working and social life, further trapping them in the cycle of poverty. [unitingtocombatntds.org]
In men, lymphedema of the genitalia usually involves swelling of the scrotum, often to the size of a watermelon making it very painful and difficult to walk. In women, the condition may present swelling in one or both breasts. [end.org]
Elephantiasis causes swelling of the scrotum, legs, or breasts. Elephantiasis is considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD). It’s more common in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, including Africa and Southeast Asia. [healthline.com]
Workup
The histopathological diagnosis was suggested as vulval elephantiasis, and further workup was suggested. Subsequent to histopathologic report, filarial antigen serology was done, which was positive. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] affecting humans and animals, caused by filariae; ie, nematode parasites of the family Filariidae. [1] Filarial parasites can be classified according to the habitat of the adult worms in the vertebral host, as follows (see Pathophysiology, Etiology, and Workup [emedicine.medscape.com]
Microbiology
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Chlamydia
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted disease of the lymph channels caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Esthiomene, a rare late manifestation of LGV, is a primary infection affecting the lymphatics of scrotum, penis, or vulva. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Other infections such as chlamydia, herpes and syphilis are known to increase susceptibility to HIV. [ndtv.com]
Other types of elephantiasis are genital elephantiasis caused by a sexually transmitted organism of Chlamydia group. The disease is called as Lymphogranuloma Venereum. [pediatriconcall.com]
Another bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis can also cause obstruction of lymphatic system leading to swelling of genitals. In rare cases elephantiasis can also be caused by podoconiosis disorder. [diseasespictures.com]
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Chlamydia Trachomatis
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted disease of the lymph channels caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Esthiomene, a rare late manifestation of LGV, is a primary infection affecting the lymphatics of scrotum, penis, or vulva. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Another bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis can also cause obstruction of lymphatic system leading to swelling of genitals. In rare cases elephantiasis can also be caused by podoconiosis disorder. [diseasespictures.com]
Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L1-L3 causes the lymphogranuloma venereum. It damages the lympathic system causing lymphatic obstruction in the genitals. When the obstruction is chronic in nature, eventually genital elephantiasis may be caused. [xpertdox.com]
The bacterium that results in LGV, Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L1-L3, damages the lympathic system resulting in lymphatic obstruction in the genitals. Chronic obstruction eventually results in genital elephantiasis. [rarediseases.org]
Colonoscopy
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Polyps
We identified 24 cases of localized lymphedema presenting as solitary large polyps (11), solid or papillomatous plaques (7), pendulous swellings (4), or tumors mimicking sarcoma (2). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Other Pathologies
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Tissue Nematode
Filariasis is a helminthic infection caused by tissue nematodes. It is estimated that at least 120 million people are infected worldwide and another 1 billion are "at risk" of infection. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Treatment
AIM: The aim of this paper was to report on a novel approach to the intensive outpatient treatment of elephantiasis of an underprivileged population. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
For this reason, prevention and treatment are intertwined. Drug treatments are discussed below. In addition to drug treatments, there are other preventative methods. [web.stanford.edu]
Prognosis
The prognosis for Lymphatic Filariasis is generally good, as most individuals are asymptomatic. [dovemed.com]
Prognosis With DEC treatment, the prognosis is good for early and mild cases of lymphatic filariasis. The prognosis is poor, however, for heavy parasitic infestations. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Etiology
To describe the clinical and pathologic characteristics and etiologic factors of localized lymphedema. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Brugia malayi is an etiological agent present in areas of Asia. What is the Cause of the Disease? Etiology The etiology of elephantiasis is lymphatic damage secondary to the nematode infection lymphatic filariasis. [clinicaladvisor.com]
In Mozambique, as in many other countries of sub-Saharan Africa, lymphatic filariasis represents the most important etiology [ 1 ]. [journals.plos.org]
Epidemiology
However, other disorders cause tropical lymphedema, and this report aims to identify clinical epidemiological aspects of limb swelling in northern Ethiopia and to provide an algorithm orienting the clinical diagnosis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
‘However, there are differences in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of elephantiasis and hydrocele.’ ‘During the past four years, 80 million people have been successfully treated for elephantiasis, one of the world's most disfiguring diseases.’ [oxforddictionaries.com]
Pathophysiology
‘However, there are differences in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of elephantiasis and hydrocele.’ ‘During the past four years, 80 million people have been successfully treated for elephantiasis, one of the world's most disfiguring diseases.’ [oxforddictionaries.com]
‘However, there are differences in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of elephantiasis and hydrocele.’ [en.oxforddictionaries.com]
To the Editor: Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV) is a skin disorder caused by marked underlying lymphedema that leads to hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis, and verrucous growths on the epidermis. 1 The pathophysiology of ENV relates to noninfectious [mdedge.com]
Pathophysiology The pathophysiology is permanent lymphatic dilatation and dysfunction. This leads to swelling and secondary infections resulting in chronic skin changes and continued risk of infection. [clinicaladvisor.com]
Pathophysiology of edema in congestive heart failure. Heart Dis Stroke 1993 ; 2 : 325 –9. Turhan E, Ege A, Keser S, Bayar A. Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa complicated with chronic tibial osteomyelitis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2007 ; 128 : 1183 –6. [jabfm.org]
Prevention
Podoconiosis is unique in being an entirely preventable non-communicable disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prevention and Treatment Prevention Since there is no known vaccine or cure for lymphatic filariasis, the most effective method that exists to control the disease is prevention. [web.stanford.edu]