Ectasia

Dilation or distention of a tubular structure.^[1] It occurs as part of a pathophysiological process.

Specific conditions

• 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

• 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.

References