The tiger stripe pattern is caused by which condition?

The tiger stripe pattern is caused by which condition?

• A. Lymphangiectasia of the lacteal
• B. Intestinal villous atrophy
• C. Bacterial overgrowth
• D. Pyloric stenosis

Answer: (A)

The tiger stripe pattern reflects dilation of the intestinal lacteals (lymphangiectasia). When lacteals in the lamina propria and submucosa become dilated, and edema plus lipid-rich lymph accumulates, the mucosa shows alternating bands of thickened, edematous tissue and relatively normal segments along the folds. This creates a striped appearance characteristic of lymphatic dilation in the small intestine. The other processes don’t produce this pattern: villous atrophy flattens villi and alters the mucosal surface differently; bacterial overgrowth causes nonspecific mucosal changes without a regular striped appearance; pyloric stenosis affects the stomach, not the small bowel mucosa.

The tiger stripe pattern reflects dilation of the intestinal lacteals (lymphangiectasia). When lacteals in the lamina propria and submucosa become dilated, and edema plus lipid-rich lymph accumulates, the mucosa shows alternating bands of thickened, edematous tissue and relatively normal segments along the folds. This creates a striped appearance characteristic of lymphatic dilation in the small intestine. The other processes don’t produce this pattern: villous atrophy flattens villi and alters the mucosal surface differently; bacterial overgrowth causes nonspecific mucosal changes without a regular striped appearance; pyloric stenosis affects the stomach, not the small bowel mucosa.