Elephantiasis, often incorrectly called elephantitis, is the enlargement and hardening of limbs or body parts due to tissue swelling (edema).[1][2] It is characterised by edema, hypertrophy, and fibrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissues, due to obstruction of lymphatic vessels (lymphedema).[2] It may affect the genitalia.[2] The term elephantiasis is often used in reference to (symptoms caused by) parasitic worm infections,[1][2] but may refer to a variety of diseases that swell parts of the subject's body to exceptionally massive proportions.[2]

Elephantiasis
Elephantiasis of the legs due to filariasis.
SpecialtyInfectious disease, general surgery
SymptomsSwelling of the skin

Cause

edit

Some conditions that present with elephantiasis include:

Other causes may include:

Other diseases, such as the rare Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome, can initially be misdiagnosed as elephantiasis.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Definition of ELEPHANTIASIS". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "elephantiasis", The Free Dictionary, retrieved 2018-06-28
  3. ^ Carlson, Emily (27 March 2013). "Taking the 'Bite' Out of Vector-Borne Diseases - Inside Life Science Series - National Institute of General Medical Sciences". publications.nigms.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Lymphedema". National Cancer Institute. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
edit