elephantiasis

a disease of man and some animal species, manifested by a progessive thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissue resulting from chronic lymphatic obstruction and lymphatic edema. Elephantiasis is caused by a congenital, hereditary, or acquired insufficiency of the lymphatics, with accompanying impairment of lymph dynamics—the absorption of lymph through the lymph capillaries and the flow of lymph through the lymphatic system.

In man, elephantiasis affects mainly the lower extremities. The disease’s onset is marked by slight, painless edema of the foot or ankle joint that disappears when the extremity is elevated. The edema gradually spreads upward, persisting and becoming firmer to the touch if the patient remains confined in bed over a lengthy period. The leg becomes deformed, resembling that of an elephant. Except for a sensation of heaviness in the leg, pain is generally absent. Elephantiasis must be distinguished from edemas and thickenings of the lower extremities arising from such disorders as chronic venous insufficiency, obesity, endocrine disturbances, and tumors.

Treatment at the onset of the disease is conservative: elastic stockings or bandages are worn, regular massage is administered, and the extremity is kept elevated. Surgical treatment of advanced elephantiasis is effective in 85 percent of the cases.

Elephantiasis occurs in horses and some breeds of swine. The inflammatory process that caused the disease is treated.