Search

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of thoracic duct embolization (TDE) on the management of postoperative chyle leakage., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical record database of 4171 patients who underwent curative resection for lung or esophageal cancer between January 2015 and June 2017. We classified the period before the introduction of TDE as the first period and the period after the introduction of TDE as the second period., Results: A total of 105 patients who developed chyle leakage after surgery were included. In the first period, 49 patients who underwent lung surgery developed chylothorax. Of those, two patients (4.1%) underwent surgical ligation of the thoracic duct (TD). Of eight patients with chyle leakage after esophagectomy, four patients (50%) underwent TD ligation. In the second period, 30 patients developed postoperative chyle leakage after pulmonary resection. Only one (3.3%) of them required surgical ligation. Of eight patients with chyle leakage after esophagectomy, only two (11.1%) patients underwent TD ligation. Five patients (16.7%) received TDE after lung surgery and five patients (27.7%) after esophageal surgery. Also, in the second period, the hospital stay of patients who underwent lung cancer surgery was shorter than the first period (12.6 ± 4.6 days vs. 16.3 ± 9.7 days; p = 0.026)., Conclusions: TDE is an effective method for the management of chyle leakage and might help to avoid invasive surgery., (© 2021 The Authors. Thoracic Cancer published by China Lung Oncology Group and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background: Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are important in dietary lipid absorption and subsequent energy distribution in the body. Their importance in the gut-lymph may have been overlooked in sepsis, the most common cause of critical illness, and in gut ischemia-reperfusion injury, a common feature of many critical illnesses., Aims: We aimed to undertake an exploratory study of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fractions in gut-lymph using untargeted metabolic profiling to identify altered metabolites in sepsis or gut ischemia-reperfusion., Methods: The gut-lymph was collected from rodent sham, sepsis, and gut ischemia-reperfusion models. The triglyceride-rich lipoprotein-enriched fractions isolated from the gut-lymph were subjected to a dual metabolomics analysis approach: non-polar metabolite analysis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and polar metabolite analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry., Results: The metabolite analysis of gut-lymph triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fractions revealed a significant increase (FDR-adjusted P value < 0.05) in myo-inositol in the sepsis group and monoacylglycerols [(18:1) and (18:2)] in gut ischemia-reperfusion. There were no significantly increased specific metabolites in the lipoprotein-enriched fractions of both sepsis and gut ischemia-reperfusion. In contrast, there was a widespread decrease in multiple lipid species in sepsis (35 out of 190; adjusted P < 0.05), but not in the gut ischemia-reperfusion., Conclusions: Increased levels of myo-inositol and monoacylglycerols, and decreased multiple lipid species in the gut-lymph triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction could be candidates for new biomarkers and/or involved in the progression of sepsis and gut ischemia-reperfusion pathobiology.

Background: The current treatment therapies for chyluria are often invasive and recurrent. Here, we investigated a novel noninvasive treatment of chyluria with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and evaluated its clinical efficacy., Methods: 155 patients with chyluria were treated with HIFU ablation and followed up over a period of 15 years from May 2000 to December 2015. Routine examinations including urine color observation, color Doppler ultrasound examination, blood serum test of Cr, BUN, and albumin, and detection of urinary chyle were performed before and after the treatment, 1 week, 1 and 6 months post-treatment, and followed up via telephone and other forms. We lost contact with 54 patients during the course of the study., Results: In the 101 complete cases, the serum levels of Cr and BUN and the color Doppler ultrasound examination did not reveal significant differences before and after the treatment. However, there was a significant increase in the hemoglobin and albumin levels, as well as the body weight after the HIFU treatment. The other 54 patients also showed an improvement of the symptoms after the HIFU treatment before losing contact., Conclusions: Our results suggest that the HIFU ablation therapy is a feasible, effective, and noninvasive method for the treatment of chyluria.

Background: To identify the value of unilateral pedal lymphangiography (LPG) plus computed tomography angiography (CTA) in accurate depiction of persistent idiopathic chyluria undetectable by ordinary contrast CT., Methods: Eighteen patients 44-63 years of age with persistent idiopathic chyluria who failed conservative management were included. Ordinary CT had not revealed a chyle leak. Cystoscopy, unilateral LPG, and post-LPG CT angiography (CTA) were sequentially performed. Ligation and stripping of the perirenal lymphatics were subsequently performed guided by lymphangiography and CTA., Results: LPG and post-LPG CTA detected 17 unilateral and one bilateral chyle leaks in the 18 patients, with clear images of the communication of lymphatic vessels and the renal collecting or vascular system. The success rate was significantly better than cystoscopy (100% vs 50.0%, P = 0.005) or LPG alone (100% vs. 72.2%, P = 0.016). Chyluria resolved after surgery in all patients; no relapses were found., Conclusions: LPG plus post-LPG CTA accurately characterized perirenal lymphangiectasia that was not demonstrated by routine contrast-enhanced CT or not suitable for magnetic resonance imaging. Despite of its invasiveness, this method is a good diagnostic alternative to LPG in patients with persistent chyluria requiring surgery.

Chyloptysis is a rare clinical presentation. Diagnosis is challenging and requires recognition of milky-sputum or bronchial casts. We describe a case of chyloptysis secondary to thoracic lymphangiectasia that necessitated surgical ligation of the main thoracic duct and accessory branches. The patient had no postoperative complications, and at 6-month follow-up remained symptom-free. A paucity of literature describes the management of chyloptysis. We review diagnosis, treatment considerations and operative principles., (Copyright © 2018 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the clinical effect of two surgical methods of treating chyluria, namely, retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial dissection of adipose renal capsule plus ligation of renal pedicle lymphatic vessels and retroperitoneal laparoscopic complete dissection of adipose renal capsule plus ligation of renal pedicle lymphatic vessels., Patients and Methods: Thirty-eight cases have been divided into A and B groups. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial dissection of adipose renal capsule plus ligation of renal pedicle lymphatic vessels has been performed on Group A patients and retroperitoneal laparoscopic complete dissection of adipose renal capsule plus ligation of renal pedicle lymphatic vessels has been performed on Group B cases, and then their respective clinical efficacy has been compared., Results: All the operations for the 38 cases were successful. The average operation time for Group A was 76.35 ± 23.11 min, and that for Group B was 97.35 ± 16.20 min. The average post-operative length of stay for Group A was 5.43 ± 1.21 days, and that for Group B was 7.22 ± 1.34 days. No complications were found in both groups, and all cases were tested negative for chyluria when discharged. No recurrences were reported., Conclusions: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic ligation of renal pedicle lymphatic vessels is a reliable method of treating chyluria. Compared with complete dissection of adipose renal capsule plus ligation of renal lymphatic vessels, partial dissection of adipose renal capsule plus ligation of renal pedicle lymphatic vessels boasts the advantages of shorter operation time, less bleeding, shorter term of hospitalization, and no renal pedicle torsion.

Background: Traumatic chylothorax is an extremely rare complication following thoracic trauma or surgery. The aetiology of traumatic chylothorax is dominated by iatrogenic causes, with a reported incidence of 0.5% to 3% following oesophageal surgery. The mortality from a chylothorax post oesophagectomy can be as high as 50%. Iatrogenic causes in total account for approximately 80% of traumatic causes. Non-iatrogenic traumatic chylothoraces are exceedingly uncommon. The complication rate in blunt thoracic trauma is said to be 0.2% to 3%, whilst in penetrating trauma, the incidence is 0.9% to 1.3%. If recognised late or managed poorly, this condition has devastating complications, including nutritional depletion, physiological derangements and immunological depression. This review revisits the anatomy of the thoracic duct, the physiology of chyle production and associated dynamics as well as the current management strategies available for traumatic chylothorax., Methods: A review of selected English literature from 1980 to 2015 was undertaken. Databases used included Pubmed, Cochrane and Science Direct. Publications of both traumatic and postoperative chylothorax were reviewed. The appropriate literature was analysed by comparing and contrasting content with particular emphasis on management issues. Keywords and phrases were used to achieve a streamlined and focused review of the topic., Conclusion: Chylothorax remains a rare complication of thoracic surgery and thoracic trauma. The potential complications can result in serious morbidity and can even be fatal. Understanding the pathophysiology of a chyle leak underpins the principles of management. The overall success of conservative management ranges from 20% to 80%. The timing of surgical intervention remains debatable. Benefits of early surgical intervention are clearly documented, resulting in a gradual shift toward early operative treatment with reports suggesting thoracic duct ligation yielding a 90% success rate. Technological advances such as thoracic duct embolisation, with a potential success rate of 90%, and thoracoscopic interventions are attractive alternatives to orthodox open surgery., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chylothorax is characterized by a milky pleural effusion that results from the injury to the thoracic duct, causing leakage of chyle into the pleural space. Its diagnosis relies primarily, on the determination of triglycerides and/or the identification of chylomicrons in the pleural fluid. The most common causes are traumatic, mainly after surgery. Among non-traumatic causes, tumors are the most frequent (like lymphomas). Conservative treatment is based on pleural drainage with a low fat diet and appropriate etiological approach. In case of failure, occlusion of the thoracic lymph duct should be considered, either by a surgical approach or interventional radiology.

We present a case of a patient who returned with a neck swelling 6 days following thyroidectomy and central neck compartment lymphadenectomy for suspected thyroid carcinoma. The initial clinical suspicion pointed to a haematoma, but a needle aspiration showed chyle. Chyle leak is a rare complication of thyroid surgery. In the described case, this was successfully managed conservatively with repeated aspirations and a low-fat diet. We discuss the aetiology, presentation and management of this complication., (2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Treatment of patients with chylous or non-chylous lymphatic leakage can be difficult. An approach using therapeutic lymphangiography can reduce the lymphatic leakage, but it seldom stops the leakage immediately and subsequent conservative treatment is necessary. We report three cases in which intranodal lymphangiography was performed multiple times to inhibit lymphatic leakage. In each case, the lymph node was punctured under ultrasound guidance using a 23-gauge needle and lipiodol was injected manually at a rate of 1 ml/3 min. The procedure was repeated twice in two cases of gastrointestinal carcinoma and four times in one case of lymphoma. In all three cases, the postoperative lymphatic leakage stopped after the repeated intranodal lymphangiography.

Background: Thyroidectomy is one of the common neck surgeries. Well recognized complications include postoperative bleeding, hypocalcaemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Chyle leak post-thyroidectomy is extremely rare. Most of the reported cases have had a complete central compartment neck dissection., Methods and Results: This is a case report of a patient who suffered from chyle leak after a left hemithyroidectomy without a complete central compartment neck dissection. The patient was managed conservatively with low fat diet and observation. A protocol for approaching thyroid patients with chyle leak is proposed based on a comprehensive literature review., Conclusion: Chyle leak post-thyroidectomy for a benign disease is a very rare complication. Nevertheless, head and neck surgeons should consider it in the differential diagnosis of neck swelling post-thyroidectomy., (Copyright © 2014 Polish Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: To report our preliminary techniques and experience with retroperitoneoscopic single-site renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection (RPSS-RPLD) in five patients with serious filarial chyluria., Materials and Methods: Between May 2010 and July 2011, five patients with serious filarial chyluria underwent RPSS-RPLD. In the patients, a 3 cm single incision was made between the 12th subcostal margin and posterior axillary line, and a homemade single multichannel port using a surgical glove and three conventional trocars was placed into retroperitoneal space. The lymphatic disconnection was similar to traditional open surgery., Results: All the operations were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 116 (102-145) minutes. The mean blood loss was estimated to be 98 (60-190) mL. Chyluria disappeared in all patients after surgery and did not recur during the follow up period (3-14, mean 7.6 months)., Conclusion: RPSS-RPLD is safe and feasible, with favorable short term outcomes and aesthetic effect.

Background: Negative pressure drainage has been shown to be an effective treatment of chyle fistula. However, the optimal level of negative pressure has not been determined. We therefore conducted a prospective randomized trial to address this issue., Methods: In all, 21 patients with chyle fistula were randomly assigned to a high negative pressure suction (HNPS) group (-600 mmHg, n = 10) or low negative pressure suction (LNPS) group (-125 mmHg, n = 11). The duration of drain leakage and hospital stay, and the incidence of complications were compared between the 2 groups., Results: All patients were successfully treated with conservative management without surgical intervention. The median durations of chyle leakage and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the HNPS group compared with the LNPS group: 4 versus 7 days (p = .0048) and 5 versus 11 days (p = .0107), respectively., Conclusions: Negative suction was demonstrated to be highly effective in the management of chyle fistula, and HNPS appeared to be more efficient than LNPS., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease that affects women in fertile age and presents a systemic progressive evolution, being the lung and the mediastinic lymph nodes the most affected organs. The pulmonary disease is characterized by dyspnea, pleural effusion, hemoptysis and spontaneous pneumothorax, being the chylothorax a frequent complication in the course of this disease, appearing in up to 30% of cases. The treatment of chylothorax is not standardized and it is necessary a multidisciplinary approach: nutritional, pharmacological, respiratory and even surgery. These patients present high risk of malnutrition due to the constant loss of chyle, therefore a suitable nutritional management is essential to avoid more complications.

No conservative treatments for chylothorax have yet been established, and surgical ligation of the thoracic duct is required in many cases. In the present study, we investigated the management of body fluid in a canine chylothorax model. Twelve beagle dogs were divided evenly into three groups: A, B, and C. Under general anesthesia, the thoracic duct was cut and opened, and the amount of lymph fluid leakage was measured. Intravenous extracellular fluid infusion was started at 5mL/kg/h for the first 2h, and then between 2 and 4h, the infusion rate was increased to 10 mL/kg/h in group A and to 20mL/kg/h in group B. During the first 2h after cutting the thoracic duct, the mean lymph fluid leakage rates in groups A, B, and C were 0.466, 0.635, and 0.575 mL/kg/h, respectively. The rates of leakage did not differ significantly among the groups. Between 2 and 4h, the mean rates of leakage were 0.750, 1.43, and 0.544mL/kg/h, respectively, being significantly higher in groups A and B than in group C. The amount of lymph fluid ascending the thoracic duct correlates with the amount of intravenous fluid infusion. For the management of chylothorax, it is important to avoid fluid overload., (© 2011 Copyright the Authors. Journal compilation © 2011, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus.)

Background: Chyluria is a medical condition with presence of chyle in the urine. The disease is most prevalent in endemic regions of Africa and the Indian subcontinent where it is mostly caused by parasitic infections, particularly lymphatic filariasis due to wucheria bancrofti. Non-parasitic chyluria, however, is a very rare finding., Case Presentation: We report the case of a 48 year old woman who developed a lymphorenal fistula with chyluria following ureterrenoscopy with biopsies taken for urological work-up of persistent macrohematuria. Renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of benign familial hematuria due to thin basement nephropathy, a condition frequently associated with episodes of macrohematuria., Conclusions: This case highlights a rare case of non-parasitic chyluria as a complication of urological work-up for macrohematuria of benign nature.

Chyle fistula may be common in the neck and thorax region but it is a rare entity in the inguinal region. The rarity of the incidence of chyle fistula and the tremendous response to conservative management are the important aspects to be remembered. We hereby report a case of iatrogenic inguinal chyle fistula complicating a femoral vein cannulation.

Background: Retroperitoneoscopic renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection has been described in the management of intractable chyluria., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of 76 patients with intractable chyluria undergoing renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection via a retroperitoneoscopic (n = 59) or conventional open approach (n = 17). Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, volume of postoperative drainage, postoperative draining time, postoperative intestinal recovery, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay were evaluated., Results: Compared with open surgery, retroperitoneoscopy was superior in terms of operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative draining time, postoperative intestinal recovery time, and postoperative hospital stay. Recurrence developed in 2 patients due to the contralateral chylous efflux confirmed by cystoscopy during the period of 9-85 months of follow-up., Conclusions: With minimal invasion, sparing operative time, less blood loss, and rapid recovery, retroperitoneoscopic renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection can achieve at least the same clinical efficacy as open surgery., (Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Although thoracic duct injury is an uncommon complication of neck dissection, it can have a significant physiological and immunological impact on the patient's recovery as well as having more serious effects. We report a novel technique of using cyanoacrylate tissue glue for managing thoracic duct damage when this is noted at the time of neck dissection surgery. We have used this technique in four patients with no post-operative chyle leak or added complications., (Copyright © 2010 British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To report our preliminary techniques and experience with transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection (LESS-RPLD) in seven patients with refractory chyluria., Patients and Methods: Between June 2009 and September 2010, seven patients with refractory chyluria underwent LESS-RPLD. In the patients, a 2- to 3-cm single inverted U-shaped supraumbilical incision was made, and a homemade single multichannel port using a surgical glove and three conventional trocars was placed into the abdominal cavity. Flexible electric coagulation hook and pliers were used for renal pedicle dissection. A straight ultrasound knife was used for lymphatic disconnection., Results: All the operations were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery, although an additional 3-mm trocar was used to push the liver in one patient. The mean operative time was 125 (96-165) minutes. The mean blood loss was estimated to be 112 (50-250) mL. Chyluria disappeared in all patients after surgery and did not recur during the follow-up period (3-15, mean 8.3 mos)., Conclusion: LESS-RPLD is safe and feasible, with favorable short-term outcomes and aesthetic effect.

Purpose: To assess the incidence of chyluria after radiofrequency (RF) ablation of renal tumors and attempt to identify predictors of this phenomenon., Materials and Methods: Over a 3-year period, 62 consecutive patients with renal tumors were treated by percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided or laparoscopic RF ablation, of which 41 underwent at least three posttreatment CT studies and were evaluated in this study. Three radiologists reviewed the pretreatment and posttreatment CT images for the presence or absence of fat-fluid levels in the bladder, the location of the tumor, and the size of the postablation defect. A logistic regression model was used to assess whether ablation defect size or tumor location predicted chyluria., Results: Chyluria was detected at a mean time of 44.5 weeks in 17 (41%) of 41 patients with renal tumors treated by RF ablation. A pretreatment biopsy specimen showed renal cell carcinoma in 74%. Mean tumor size was 2.77 cm, and mean initial ablation size was 4.2 cm. Chyluria persisted in seven patients. Zone of ablation defect size and tumor location were not significant predictors of chyluria (P = .64 and P = .42). Mean follow-up was 77 weeks., Conclusions: Chyluria is a common and asymptomatic finding in a significant proportion of patients undergoing RF ablation for renal tumors. Tumor location and zone of ablation defect size were not predictors of chyluria. The presence of a fat-fluid level should not be mistaken for an air-fluid level., (Copyright © 2011 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: The retroperitoneoscopic renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection has been performed mainly via a renal adipose (RA) capsule approach. In this study, we reported a novel technique via extra-adipose (EA) capsule approach and compared the two approaches for intractable chyluria., Patients and Methods: From December 2002 to March 2008, retroperitoneoscopic renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection was performed on 41 patients with 23 EA and 18 RA. The stripping of hilar vessels and ureterolympholysis were performed in both approaches, while the mobilization of the kidney was only performed in RA. Comparisons of the two approaches were conducted, including mean operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bed rest, and hospital stay, as well as operative outcome., Results: Patients were treated successfully without major complications. EA showed the same advantages as RA in terms of intraoperative blood loss (54.9±19.3 mL vs 59.3±26.5 mL, P>0.05), postoperative hospital stay (6.6±1.0 d vs 7.2±0.9 d, P>0.05). Chyluria disappeared in all patients immediately after the operations. EA was significantly superior to RA in operative time (78.9±18.3 min vs 101.8±20.6 min, P<0.05) and the postoperative bed rest time (20.7±1.7 h vs 72.0±0.0 h, P<0.05). No recurrence or nephroptosis was diagnosed in any patient within the follow-up of 21 to 84 months., Conclusions: Retroperitoneoscopic renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection for chyluria is safe and efficacious. EA offers significantly shorter operative time and earlier return to postoperative ambulation.

Background: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a disorder that affects women and is characterized by cystic lung destruction, chylous effusions, lymphangioleiomyomas, and angiomyolipomas. It is caused by proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle-like cells. Sirolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor that has been reported to decrease the size of neoplastic growths in animal models of tuberous sclerosis complex and to reduce the size of angiomyolipomas and stabilize lung function in humans., Objective: To assess whether sirolimus therapy is associated with improvement in lung function and a decrease in the size of chylous effusions and lymphangioleiomyomas in patients with LAM., Design: Observational study., Setting: The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center., Patients: 19 patients with rapidly progressing LAM or chylous effusions., Intervention: Treatment with sirolimus., Measurements: Lung function and the size of chylous effusions and lymphangioleiomyomas before and during sirolimus therapy., Results: Over a mean of 2.5 years before beginning sirolimus therapy, the mean (±SE) FEV1 decreased by 2.8%±0.8% predicted and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) decreased by 4.8%±0.9% predicted per year. In contrast, over a mean of 2.6 years of sirolimus therapy, the mean (±SE) FEV1 increased by 1.8%±0.5% predicted and Dlco increased by 0.8%±0.5% predicted per year (P<0.001). After beginning sirolimus therapy, 12 patients with chylous effusions and 11 patients with lymphangioleiomyomas experienced almost complete resolution of these conditions. In 2 of the 12 patients, sirolimus therapy enabled discontinuation of pleural fluid drainage., Limitations: This was an observational study. The resolution of effusions may have affected improvements in lung function., Conclusion: Sirolimus therapy is associated with improvement or stabilization of lung function and reduction in the size of chylous effusions and lymphangioleiomyomas in patients with LAM., Primary Funding Source: Intramural Research Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.

Chylous joint effusion is a rare condition in which synovial fluids containing large amounts of lipids take on a milky appearance as a result. We report on a 19-year-old male patient with posttraumatic chylous knee effusion. Several days after striking his knee against the ground because of a traffic accident, his left knee showed obvious swelling. Aspiration of his knee was performed, yielding 70ml of purulent-appearing fluid. To distinguish this condition from purulent or tuberculosis arthritis, arthroscopic biopsy and debridement were performed. Arthroscopic examination visualized distinctive yellow-white soft lesions covering much of the joint capsule, resembling a cobweb. Tissue cultures for bacteria were negative. Pathologically, we identified clusters of xanthoma cells with fibrin exudation due to disruption of the synovium and intra-articular fat pad necrosis. Centrifuging the aspiration fluid yielded a thick creamy lipid layer as the supernatant. A fresh drop preparation showed that the specimen contained innumerable fat globules, which stained red with oil red O stain. The patient was able to walk without difficulty or further swelling of his knee at the end of the second postoperative week. Posttraumatic chylous effusion is self-limited. Purulent arthritis or tuberculosis arthritis, however, should still be the presumptive diagnosis in such cases. Arthroscopic irrigation and debridement should be considered for these traumatic cases to confirm diagnosis and to speed up recovery., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Chylopericardium after cardiac surgery is rare, and there are few reports of its occurrence after aortic valve surgery. Chylous pericardial effusion 4 months after aortic valve replacement for endocarditis is highly unusual.Herein, we report the case of a 54-year-old man who had undergone bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement because of endocarditis and valvular dysfunction. Two months later, he underwent pericardiocentesis twice because of large pericardial effusions consisting of pinkish white fluid with predominant lymphocytes. Four months after valve replacement, he presented with recurrent effusion consistent with early tamponade, and a pericardial window was created. At surgery, 1,500 cc of milky white fluid was recovered, and the diagnosis of chylopericardium was made. Postoperative high-volume drainage prompted thoracic duct ligation, which was curative.

Rationale: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), occurring sporadically (S-LAM) or in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), results from abnormal proliferation of LAM cells exhibiting mutations or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the TSC genes, TSC1 or TSC2., Objectives: To identify molecular markers useful for isolating LAM cells from body fluids and determine the frequency of TSC1 or TSC2 LOH., Methods: Candidate cell surface markers were identified using gene microarray analysis of human TSC2⁻(/)⁻ cells. Cells from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), urine, chylous effusions, and blood were sorted based on reactivity with antibodies against these proteins (e.g., CD9, CD44v6) and analyzed for LOH using TSC1- and TSC2-related microsatellite markers and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the TSC2 gene., Measurements and Main Results: CD44v6(+)CD9(+) cells from BALF, urine, and chyle showed TSC2 LOH in 80%, 69%, and 50% of patient samples, respectively. LAM cells with TSC2 LOH were detected in more than 90% of blood samples. LAM cells from different body fluids of the same patients showed, in most cases, identical LOH patterns, that is, loss of alleles at the same microsatellite loci. In a few patients with S-LAM, LAM cells from different body fluids differed in LOH patterns. No patients with S-LAM with TSC1 LOH were identified, suggesting that TSC2 abnormalities are responsible for the vast majority of S-LAM cases and that TSC1-disease may be subclinical., Conclusions: Our data support a common genetic origin of LAM cells in most patients with S-LAM, consistent with a metastatic model. In some cases, however, there was evidence for genetic heterogeneity between LAM cells in different sites or within a site.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of the 3-instillation regime with the 9-instillation regime of 1% silver nitrate solution for renal pelvic instillation sclerotherapy in patients with chyluria., Patients and Methods: 59 Patients with chyluria were prospectively evaluated and randomized into two groups. The study group received 3 instillations (n = 29) while the control group received 9 instillations (n = 30). 1% silver nitrate was used., Results: In the study group of the 29 patients given sclerotherapy, 28 (96.5%) had complete symptomatic relief while symptoms persisted in 1 (3.44%). None of the patients had hematuria or any other severe complication. In the control group of the 30 patients given sclerotherapy, 29 (96.66%) had complete symptomatic relief while chyluria persisted in 1 (3.33%), 5 patients developed hematuria (16.66%) and 1 patient developed fever with UTI (3.33%). The results of the 3-instillation regime match the results of the more commonly used 9-instillation regime. With this shorter regime, the hospital stay, morbidity and overall complication rate is less and it is more cost effective., Conclusion: We recommend the 3-instillation regimen in patients with chyluria refractory to conservative treatment., (Copyright (c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

This study aimed to determine the incidence and outcome of postoperative chylous pleural effusion as well as the efficacy of pleurodesis for its management after surgery for congenital heart disease. Medical and surgical databases were used to identify all patients who had surgery for congenital heart disease and subsequently experienced postoperative chylous pleural effusion. Medical records were reviewed and daily chest drainage and management strategies were recorded. From January 2000 to June 2006, 1,166 cardiac operations were followed by 19 cases of chylous pleural effusion, for an incidence of 1.6%. The diagnosis was made a mean of 9 days after the operation. The patients were divided into two groups according to treatment strategy. Group 1 included 9 patients who had received only conventional medical treatment consisting of parenteral nutrition and/or medium-chain triglyceride formula and/or a low-fat diet and/or somatostatin. Group 2 included 10 patients who initially received conventional medical treatment, then subsequently received chemical or mechanical pleurodesis. The amount of the chylous drainage was significantly less in group 1 (14 ml/kg/day) than in group 2 (24 ml/kg/day) (P < 0.05), suggesting a more severe problem in group 2. For group 2, the amount of drainage was significantly less after chemical or mechanical pleurodesis (8 vs 24 ml/kg/day; P < 0.05) than before. Seven patients (70%) responded favorably to the first pleurodesis, and two patients (20%) required more than one pleurodesis. One patient (10%) did not respond to pleurodesis but was treated successfully with thoracic duct ligation. There were no deaths. Pleurodesis is a safe and effective method for treating chylous effusion after surgical treatment of congenital heart disease, especially after failed conservative treatment. However, some patients may need more than one pleurodesis.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of lymphangiography as a treatment for various chyle leakages. Pedal lymphangiography was performed in 9 patients (6 men and 3 women; mean age, 59 years) who were unlikely to be cured only by conservative treatment - a low-fat medium-chain triglyceride diet, total parenteral nutrition and insertion of a drainage tube - and in whom chylothorax (n = 5), chylous ascites (n = 2) and lymphatic fistulae (n = 2) were refractory to conservative treatment. In 7 of these 9 patients (78%), we could detect the chyle leakage sites. In 8 of the 9 patients (89%), lymphatic leakage was stopped after lymphangiography, and surgical re-intervention was avoided. No cases had a recurrence of chyle leakage during follow-up (range, 1-54 months). Lymphangiography is effective not only for diagnosis but also as treatment for various chyle leakages. Early lymphangiography is therefore recommended for patients with chyle leakages who are unlikely to be cured by conservative treatment only.

Chyloptysis, in the context of middle lobe syndrome, and chylothorax are rare clinical entities. They are reported in the medical literature mostly as case reports, but never together in the same patient. The present report describes the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented with chyloptysis associated with recurrent right middle lobe syndrome since she was 20 years of age, and eventually underwent right middle lobectomy. A few weeks postoperatively, she developed a right-sided chylothorax, which was refractory to medical therapy, and was successfully treated with thoracic duct ligation. She has been symptom-free for two years postsurgery.

Diffuse lymphangiomatosis is a rare idiopathic condition that occurs mostly in children, is characterized by a non-neoplastic proliferation of lymphatic vessels, leading to organ dysfunction, chylous effusions, and death. A closely related condition-the Gorham-Stout syndrome-is also characterized by lymphangiomatosis and chylous effusions, but also with massive osteolytic changes ("vanishing bone disease"). A 33-year-old woman presented with a 5-year history of worsening chylous effusions and organomegaly. An extensive evaluation has ruled out most diagnoses. A complete radiographic skeletal study did not disclose any osteolytic changes. However, a Tc99 bone scan has demonstrated an absence of osteoblastic activity in some bones. An autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse lymphangiomatosis, but with histologically normal bone. If this unusual imaging pattern will be reproduced in future cases, a much needed diagnostic aid may help decrease the frequent diagnostic delays in diffuse lymphangiomatosis.

Background: Chyle leakage is an uncommon complication of lateral neck dissection for metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). There have been no reports on chyle leakage after central neck dissection not combined with lateral neck dissection. We therefore investigated chyle leakage in PTC patients undergoing thyroidectomy and central neck dissection., Methods: A total of 283 new patients with differentiated PTC underwent total thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection. The amount and duration of drain leakage, and the concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol in drain fluid and serum were measured in patients who had suspected postoperative chyle leakage. The incidence and management of chyle leakage were analyzed., Results: Intraoperative chyle leakage was not found in any patient, although postoperative leakage was detected in four patients (1.4%). Mean +/- standard deviation peak 24-hour drainage was 122 +/- 57 mL, and duration of leakage was 10 +/- 7 days. Mean triglyceride concentration of drainage fluid was 433 +/- 182 mg/dL. These patients were treated with pressure dressings and a medium-chain triglyceride diet. One patient underwent intralesional injection of OK-432 for localized chyle accumulation. All chyle leakages stopped after conservative management without surgical intervention., Conclusion: Chyle leakage can occur after thyroidectomy and central neck dissection not combined with lateral neck dissection. These findings will aid in the recognition and treatment of this uncommon complication during the early postoperative period.

Chylous pericardial effusion after open-heart surgery is a rare complication. We report a case of chylous pericardial effusion following aortic valve replacement, which presented as cardiac tamponade, and its subsequent management.

Though rare in incidence, chylothorax can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Its occurrence corresponds to increased mortality following esophagectomy. Leakage of chyle and lymph leads to significant loss of essential proteins, immunoglobulins, fat, vitamins, electrolytes and water. The presence of chylomicrons and a triglyceride level >110 mg/dl in the aspirated pleural fluid confirms the diagnosis of chylothorax. Identifying the aetiology using different diagnostic tests is important in planning treatment. While therapeutic thoracentesis provides relief from respiratory symptoms, the nutritional deficiency will continue to persist or deteriorate unless definitive therapeutic measures are instituted to stop leakage of chyle into the pleural space. Definitive therapy consists of obliteration and prevention of recurrence of chylothorax. Aggressive surgical therapy is recommended for post-traumatic or post-surgical chylothorax.

Background & Objective: Chylous fistula, a severe complication after operation on neck, has close correlation with definite anatomical position and variation. Its treatment remains controversial. This study was to evaluate the validity of high negative pressure drainage for chylous fistula after neck dissection., Methods: A treatment of high negative pressure (-30 to -50 kPa) drainage, fasting, and reasonable venous nutrition was applied to 8 patients with postoperative chylous fistula., Results: Of the 8 patients, 7 recovered smoothly without severe complication, and pectoralis major muscle flap was adopted to cure the failed one., Conclusion: A treatment of high negative pressure drainage and reasonable diet is effective and safe for chylous fistula at early stage.

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to present a novel radiologic percutaneous transabdominal technique for treating high-output chylothorax by thoracic duct embolization, and to demonstrate that it can be potentially safer than the traditional treatment by surgical open-chest thoracic duct ligation., Recent Findings: Pedal lymphography is initially performed to opacify large retroperitoneal lymph channels; a suitable duct more than 2 mm in diameter is then punctured transabdominally to allow catheterization and embolization of the thoracic duct under fluoroscopic guidance. If feeding lymphatic channels are too small for catheterization, they can often be occluded by needle disruption. This percutaneous interventional technique, which has been used in 60 patients with mostly high-output chylothorax caused by thoracic surgery, resulted in a 65% cure rate with no morbidity. Back-up surgical thoracic duct ligation was performed promptly on suitable lower risk patients when the percutaneous procedure failed., Summary: We have found that two thirds of patients presenting with life-threatening chylothorax can be safely treated by percutaneous transabdominal thoracic duct blockage. When successful, this novel interventional procedure can obviate repeat major thoracic surgery and shorten hospital stays.