IDIOPATHIC HYPERLIPEMIA

Abstract

A rare case of idiopathic hyperlipemia with hepatomegaly and lipemia retinalis occurring in an adult is reported. His serum lipids fluctuated between 2.12 and 13.13% and the neutral fat content of his serum reached the level of 3440 mg.% on one detn. Typical foam cells were demonstrable in the bone marrow. A liver biopsy showed only an abundance of fat within the liver. The clinical picture was characterized by the finding of a milky serum, lipemic retinalis and a bizarre-symptom complex consisting of recurrent episodes of lower substernal pain radiating into the abdomen and throughout the chest associated with marked malaise. The degree of lipemia retinalis, hyperlipemia, hepatomegaly and symptoms was shown to be dependent upon the amount of fat ingested. Dietary treatment was effective in preventing recurrence of acute attacks of abdominal pain.