High-Output Chylothorax: Novel Imaging Techniques Provide Specific Treatment

Postesophagectomy chylothorax is a therapeutic dilemma. Understanding anatomy and leakage site is essential, although imaging techniques for thoracic lymphatics are challenging and not always available. We describe a patient with a left-sided thoracic duct and chylothorax after esophagectomy. We per...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of thoracic surgery short reports 2023-03, Vol.1 (1), p.152-156
Main Authors: Verrelst, Lynn, Jardinet, Thomas, Ruppert, Martin, Van Schil, Paul, Snoeckx, Annemiek, Hubens, Guy, de Maat, Michiel F.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Postesophagectomy chylothorax is a therapeutic dilemma. Understanding anatomy and leakage site is essential, although imaging techniques for thoracic lymphatics are challenging and not always available. We describe a patient with a left-sided thoracic duct and chylothorax after esophagectomy. We performed intranodal Lipiodol lymphangiography, computed tomography lymphangiography, and fluorescence-guided thoracic duct ligation with robot-assisted thoracic surgery. These techniques are useful in the postoperative setting but may also be used as preventive strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality from chylothorax after any thoracic surgery.
ISSN:2772-9931
2772-9931
DOI:10.1016/j.atssr.2022.11.007