Meige's Disease ...; Hereditary lymphoedema (Meige disease)

Meige disease, also known as Hereditary Lymphedema Type II or Meige lymphedema, is a process that affect the normal function of the lymphatic system as a consequence of an abnormal transportation of lymph. When lymph accumulates abnormally it causes lymphedema in the lower extremities.

Meige disease is classified as a primary lymphoedema, meaning it is a form of lymphoedema which is not due to other organic disorders. Meige's disease, disorders of the lymphatic system are congenital, although the swelling is usually not evident until puberty. Often, inflammation begins in the feet and ankles and progresses to the legs and knees. Some affected individuals develop cellulitis or erysipelas in the legs, which can further damage the vessels that carry lymph. For unknown reasons, this disease affects women about three times more than men.

Although the cause of Meige's disease is unknown, it is believed to be due to genetic changes, as it tends to run in families and described other forms of primary lymphedema due to genetic factors. We have studied many genes associated with the lymphatic system; however, it has not found any genetic change leading to signs and symptoms of disease Meige.

This process appears to have an autosomal dominant inheritance, which means that a copy of an altered gene in each cell is sufficient to express the disease, but have not identified genes associated with disease Meige. People with Meige disease usually have at least one other member of the affected family. In most cases, an affected person has an affected parent.