In addition to imaging the lymphatics and detecting various types of lymphatic leakage, lymphangiography is a therapeutic option for patients with chylothorax, chylous ascites, and lymphatic fistula. Percutaneous thoracic duct embolization, transabdominal catheterization of the cisterna chyli or thoracic duct, and subsequent embolization of the thoracic duct is an alternative to surgical ligation of the thoracic duct. In this pictorial review, we present the detailed technique, clinical applications, and complications of lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization.
Catheterization ; Chylothorax/*radiography/therapy ; Chylous Ascites/*radiography/therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes/radiography/surgery ; Lymphography ; Thoracic Duct/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system granulomatous disorder of an unknown etiology and affects individuals worldwide. It is characterized pathologically by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in more than one involved organ. However, pleural involvement of sarcoidosis is rare and there are no reported cases in Korea. Traditionally, sarcoidosis has often been treated with systemic corticosteroids or cytotoxic agents. In particular, chylothorax with sarcoidosis is usually treated with corticosteroid for approximately 3~6 months, followed by repeated therapeutic thoracentesis, talc pleurodesis, dietary treatment, or thoracic duct ligation where needed. We encountered a 46 years old female patient presenting with cough, dyspnea and both hilar lymphadenopathy (stage I) on chest radiograph. The patient was diagnosed with a non-caseating granuloma, sarcoidosis by a mediastinoscopic biopsy. For one month, she had suffered from dyspnea due to right side pleural effusion, which was clearly identified as a chylothorax on thoracentesis. Corticosteroid therapy with dietary adjustment was ineffective. She was treated successfully with a subcutaneous injection of octreotide for 3 weeks and oral corticosteroid. We report a case of successful and rapid treatment of chylothorax associated with sarcoidosis using octreotide and oral corticosteroid.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Biopsy ; Chylothorax* ; Cough ; Cytotoxins ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Korea ; Ligation ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mediastinoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Octreotide* ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurodesis ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Sarcoidosis* ; Talc ; Thoracic Duct