A 16-year-old teenager boy presents with moderate to severe epigastric pain. Physical examination reveals extensive eruptive xanthomas and hepatosplenomegaly. A blood sample reveals milky plasma. Which of the following is the most likely lipoprotein to be elevated in the plasma of this patient accounting for the milky appearance?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The milky plasma and the presence of eruptive xanthomas and hepatosplenomegaly suggest hyperlipidemia, specifically hyperchylomicronemia, where chylomicrons are elevated, causing the plasma to appear milky.  Chylomicrons are assembled in the intestinal mucosa as a means to transport dietary cholesterol and triglycerides to the rest of the body. Chylomicrons leave the intestine via the lymphatic system and enter the circulation at the left subclavian vein. High levels of chylomicrons in the blood can give it a milky appearance. The term chyle refers to the milky fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fats or free fatty acids, which is how the term chylomicron was derived.

A 16-Year-Old Teenager Boy Presents with Moderate to Severe Epigastric