[Recurrent unexplained lipothymia: do not forget the capillary leak syndrome].

[systemic capillary leak syndrome]

Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS ) is a rare disorder characterized by recurrent spontaneous episodes of hypovolaemic shock due to marked plasma shifts from the intravascular to the extravascular space . It presents as the characteristic triad of hypotension , haemoconcentration and hypoalbuminemia .We describe a patient with SCLS with recurrent lipothymia who presented first with delayed oedema that was thought to be due to orlistat treatment . On the second episode the patient was seen with a pulmonary hypertension when plasma came back into vessels . On the third time the characteristic triad led to the diagnosis of SCLS .SCLS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent hypovolemic shock without identifiable cause . Nevertheless , symptoms may be restricted to sole lipothymia or transient oedema or delayed hypoalbuminemia rendering the diagnosis difficult .