Elephantiasis

A disorder characterized by chronic thickened and edematous tissue on the genitals and legs due to various causes.

A disease caused by tumours in lymph node or filarial worms, causing excessive swelling in limbs and genitalis.

A chronic enlargement of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues. It is most common in the tropics and results from obstruction of the lymphatics.

A disease ordinarily found in tropical regions that involves a marked growth in subcutaneous tissues and the epidermis producing an enlargement varying from slight to monstrous may be caused by congenital circumstances, metastatic invasion of the lymph nodes, or infection by hlariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti).

A condition in which parts of the body swell and the skin becomes hardened, frequently caused by infestation with various species of the parasitic worm Filaria.

Condition characterized by enormous enlargement of certain body parts, especially the legs and scrotum, often with a thickening and coarsening of the skin. It is the end stage of the disease filariasis and is due to blockage of the lymphatic vessels by infiltration of filarial worms.

Massive swelling of the lower extremities or genitalia; also called pachydermas.

A disease spread by several different types of mosquitoes, including the one that carries malaria. Elephantiasis occurs most commonly in central Africa and in southern and southeastern Asia. The disease is caused by a parasite that resides in the lymph nodes of humans, where the female worms produce an advanced stage of embryos, called microfilariae, that are released into the blood of affected humans. When mosquitoes feed on these people, the insects transform the ingested embryos into infective larvae.

Gross enlargement of the skin and underlying connective tissues caused by obstruction of the lymph vessels, which prevents drainage of lymph from the surrounding tissues. Inflammation and thickening of the walls of the vessels and their eventual blocking is commonly caused by the parasitic filarial worms Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. The parts most commonly affected are the legs but the scrotum, breasts, and vulva may also be involved. Elastic bandaging is applied to the affected parts and the limbs are elevated and rested. Larval forms in the blood are killed with diethylcarbamazine.

Chronically oedematous and thickened tissue, especially involving the lower extremities and genitalia, which arises from repeated attacks of inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, with concurrent obstruction of lymphatic vessels. In a tropical country, the usual cause is lymphatic filariasis.

Massive swelling, especially of the genitalia and lower extremities, resulting from obstruction of lymphatic vessels, for example by filarial parasites, malignancies, neurofibromatosis, or a familial congenital disease (Milroy’s disease). Prolonged swelling can cause an increase in interstitial fibrous tissue and skin puckering or breakdown. In patients with parasitic elephantiasis (i.e., the filarial diseases, which are common in the tropics), single-dose therapy with ivermectin or ivermectin plus albendazole destroys immature but not adult worms.

A medical condition marked by the significant enlargement of limbs and/or the genitalia, accompanied by the hardening and stretching of the skin covering these areas.

Elephantiasis is a tropical disease distinguished by extensive swelling in the legs, arms, and, in men, the scrotum (the pouch containing the testes). It is accompanied by thickening and darkening of the skin. The primary cause of elephantiasis is chronic lymphatic obstruction, typically resulting from filariasis, which is caused by a worm infestation.