Elephantiasis and its cure: case report

Abstract

Introduction: Lymphedema is a clinical condition stemming from a lymphatic system failure.  The insufficiency of the lymphatic system can causes the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial, which triggers a adverse consequence such a and fibrosis. This study describes a case of a patient who has been cured of elephantiasis for ten years but continues to have lymphedema. Description case:  Patient information: A 78-year-old woman had a history of bilateral lower limb lymphedema, clinical diagnosis that had been worsening throughout her life bilateral despite undergoing treatment and had progressed to stage III (elephantiasis). Clinical findings: The patient was sent to the Clínica Godoy-Sao Jose do Rio Preto-Brazil ten years ago and reported having undergone several forms of treatment, but without impeding the progression of the condition. Therapeutic intervention: The patient was submitted to intensive treatment for three weeks, during which time a 21-kilogram reduction in weight and a 66-cm reduction in circumference occurred. After three weeks, the patient began undergoing treatment at home with laced compression stockings. At the follow-up evaluation, electrical bioimpedance analysis, perimeter measurements and volumetry were performed, which revealed the reduction in lymphedema to standards of normality. The patient has completed 10 years of treatment and has maintained the results using compression stockings. Conclusion: Elephantiasis is curable, but lymphedema is not. Like any other chronic disease, constant treatment is needed to maintain the results.