Ectasia Explained

Ectasia, also called ectasis, is dilation or distention of a tubular structure,^[1] either normal or pathophysiologic but usually the latter (except in atelectasis, where absence of ectasis is the problem).

Specific conditions

• Bronchiectasis, chronic dilatation of the bronchi
• Duct ectasia of breast, a dilated milk duct. Duct ectasia syndrome is a synonym for nonpuerperal (unrelated to pregnancy and breastfeeding)^[2] mastitis.
• Dural ectasia, dilation of the dural sac surrounding the spinal cord, usually in the very low back.
• Pyelectasis, dilation of a part of the kidney, most frequently seen in prenatal ultrasounds. It usually resolves on its own.
• Rete tubular ectasia, dilation of tubular structures in the testicles. It is usually found in older men.
• Acral arteriolar ectasia
• Corneal ectasia (secondary keratoconus), a bulging of the cornea.

Vascular ectasias

• Most broadly, any abnormal dilatation of a blood vessel, including aneurysms
• Annuloaortic ectasia, dilation of the aorta. It can be associated with Marfan syndrome.^[3]
• Dolichoectasias, weakening of arteries, usually caused by high blood pressure.
• Intracranial dolichoectasias, dilation of arteries inside the head.
• Gastric antral vascular ectasia, dilation of small blood vessels in the last part of the stomach.
• Telangiectasias are small dilated blood vessels found anywhere on the body, but commonly seen on the face around the nose, cheeks, and chin.
• Venous ectasia, dilation of veins or venules, such as:
  • Chronic venous insufficiency, often in the leg
  • Jugular vein ectasia, in the jugular veins returning blood from the head

Notes and References

1. "Ectasia." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, Inc., 2009. Web. 6 Nov. 2009.
2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mammary-duct-ectasia/DS00751 "Mammary Duct Ectasia. MayoClinic
3. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/blood-heart-circulation/aortic-aneurysm/types/marfan-syndrome.html "Annuloaortic Ectasia"