Abstract
BACKGROUND: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a rare cause of hypoalbuminemia that can be attributed to intestinal lymphangiectasia. Patients with Noonan syndrome may present with disorder of lymph vessel formation. However, PLE is rarely reported with Noonan syndrome. CASE SUMMARY: A 15-year-old female was hospitalized multiple times for recurrent edema and diarrhea secondary to hypoalbuminemia. Additional manifestations included a ventricular septal defect at birth, intermuscular hemangioma, slightly wide interocular and intermammary distances, and absence of the distal phalanx of the left little finger since birth. Abdominal computed tomography revealed cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and liver biopsy indicated "porto-sinusoidal vascular disease". Whole exome and Sanger sequencing revealed a heterozygous mutation (exon9: C.850C>T:P.R284C) in leucine zipper-like transcription regulator 1, suggesting Noonan syndrome type 10. Further examinations revealed thoracic duct dysplasia and intestinal lymphangiectasia causing PLE in this patient. A multidisciplinary team decided to address thoracic duct dysplasia with outlet obstruction. Approximately two years after the microsurgical relief of the thoracic duct outlet obstruction, the patient achieved persistent normal serum albumin level without edema or diarrhea. Furthermore, the relevant literatures on Noonan syndrome and PLE were reviewed. CONCLUSION: Herein, we reported the first case of PLE associated with Noonan syndrome caused by a rare genetic mutation in leucine zipper-like transcription regulator 1 (c.850C>T:P.R284C) with newly reported manifestations. This case presented the successful treatment of clinical hypoalbuminemia attributed to thoracic duct dysplasia, intestinal lymphangiectasia and PLE.