OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technical feasibility of intranodal lymphangiography and thoracic duct (TD) access in a canine model.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five male mongrel dogs were studied. The dog was placed in the supine position, and the most prominent lymph node in the groin was accessed using a 26-gauge spinal needle under ultrasonography (US) guidance. If the cisterna chyli (CC) was not opacified by bilateral lymphangiography, the medial iliac lymph nodes were directly punctured and Lipiodol was injected. After opacification, the CC was directly punctured with a 22-gauge needle. A 0.018-in microguidewire was advanced through the CC and TD. A 4-Fr introducer and dilator were then advanced over the wire. The microguidewire was changed to a 0.035-in guidewire, and this was advanced into the left subclavian vein through the terminal valve of the TD. Retrograde TD access was performed using a snare kit.RESULTS: US-guided lymphangiography (including intranodal injection of Lipiodol [Guerbet]) was successful in all five dogs. However, in three of the five dogs (60%), the medial iliac lymph nodes were not fully opacified due to overt Lipiodol extravasation at the initial injection site. In these dogs, contralateral superficial inguinal intranodal injection was performed. However, two of these three dogs subsequently underwent direct medial iliac lymph node puncture under fluoroscopy guidance to deliver additional Lipiodol into the lymphatic system. Transabdominal CC puncture and cannulation with a 4-Fr introducer was successful in all five dogs. Transvenous retrograde catheterization of the TD (performed using a snare kit) was also successful in all five dogs.CONCLUSION: A canine model may be appropriate for intranodal lymphangiography and TD access. Most lymphatic intervention techniques can be performed in a canine using the same instruments that are employed in a clinical setting.
Animals ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Dogs ; Ethiodized Oil ; Fluoroscopy ; Groin ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic System ; Lymphography ; Male ; Needles ; Punctures ; SNARE Proteins ; Subclavian Vein ; Supine Position ; Thoracic Duct ; Ultrasonography

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) was first described by Gorham and colleagues in 1954, but its precise mechanism and cause remain to be elucidated. In this condition, voluminous and potentially fatal chylous effusions into the thorax can occur. Herein, we describe a case of GSD in which the patient presented with massive pleural effusions and mottled osteolytic bone lesions. We performed multiple operations, including thoracic duct ligation using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and thoracotomic decortication, but these procedures did not succeed in preventing recurrent pleural effusion and chest wall lymphedema. After administering sirolimus (0.8 mg/m2, twice a day) and propranolol (40 mg, twice a day), the process of GSD in this patient has been controlled for more than 2 years.
Chylothorax ; Humans ; Ligation ; Lymphedema ; Osteolysis, Essential ; Pleural Effusion ; Propranolol ; Sirolimus ; Thoracic Duct ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: Postoperative chylothorax may be caused by iatrogenic injury of the collateral lymphatic ducts after thoracic surgery. Although traditional treatment could be considered in most cases, resolution may be slow. Radiological interventions have recently been developed to manage postoperative chylothorax. This study aimed to compare radiological interventions and conservative management in patients with postoperative chylothorax.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed periprocedural drainage time, length of hospital stay, and nil per os (NPO) duration in 7 patients who received radiological interventions (intervention group [IG]) and in 9 patients who received conservative management (non-intervention group [NG]).RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the patients in the IG and NG were comparable; however, the median drainage time and median length of hospital stay after detection of chylothorax were significantly shorter in the IG than in the NG (6 vs. 10 days, p=0.036 and 10 vs. 20 days, p=0.025, respectively). NPO duration after chylothorax detection and total drainage duration were somewhat shorter in the IG than in the NG (5 vs. 7 days and 8 vs. 14 days, respectively).CONCLUSION: This study showed that radiological interventions reduced the duration of drainage and the length of hospital stay, allowing an earlier return to normal life. To overcome several limitations of this study, a prospective, randomized controlled trial with a larger number of patients is recommended.
Chylothorax ; Drainage ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lymphography ; Postoperative Care ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Duct ; Thoracic Surgery

The cisterna chyli, a dilated lymphatic sac in the retrocrural space, is usually located to the right of the aorta. We report a case of a left-sided cisterna chyli, which was incidentally detected on the radiologic examinations of a preoperative workup for cholangiocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed a cisterna chyli measuring 2.5 cm in length in the left retrocrural space. The dilated lumbar lymphatics joined with the cisterna chyli, which was continuous with the left-sided thoracic duct. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second antemortem case of a left-sided cisterna chyli in literature. The cisterna chyli can mimic retrocrural lymphadenopathy, solid tumor with cystic degeneration, abscess or hematoma. The left-sided cisterna chyli should be referred to as a structure so as to be cautious in surgical approach.
Abscess ; Aorta ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Hematoma ; Lymphatic Abnormalities ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Thoracic Duct

With improving survival of children with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD), postoperative complications, like protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) are increasingly encountered. A 3-year-old girl with surgically corrected CCHD (ventricular inversion/L-transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia, post-double switch procedure [Rastelli and Glenn]) developed chylothoraces. She was treated with pleurodesis, thoracic duct ligation and subsequently developed chylous ascites and PLE (serum albumin ≤0.9 g/dL) and was malnourished, despite nutritional rehabilitation. Lymphangioscintigraphy/single-photon emission computed tomography showed lymphatic obstruction at the cisterna chyli level. A segmental chyle leak and chylous lymphangiectasia were confirmed by gastrointestinal endoscopy, magnetic resonance (MR) enterography, and MR lymphangiography. Selective glue embolization of leaking intestinal lymphatic trunks led to prompt reversal of PLE. Serum albumin level and weight gain markedly improved and have been maintained for over 3 years. Selective interventional embolization reversed this devastating lymphatic complication of surgically corrected CCHD.
Adhesives ; Arteries ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chyle ; Chylous Ascites ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Ligation ; Lymphatic Abnormalities ; Lymphography ; Pleurodesis ; Postoperative Complications ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies ; Pulmonary Atresia ; Rehabilitation ; Serum Albumin ; Thoracic Duct ; Tomography, Emission-Computed ; Weight Gain

Dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography can be used to provide anatomic and dynamic information for various lymphatic diseases, including thoracic duct injury, and can also help to guide the thoracic duct embolization procedure. We present a case of postoperative chylothorax demonstrated by dynamic enhanced MR lymphangiography. In this case, the chyle leakage site and location of cisterna chyli were clearly visualized by dynamic enhanced MR lymphangiography, thus allowing for management with thoracic duct embolization.
Chyle ; Chylothorax ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphography ; Thoracic Duct

Incidence of gastric cancer is high in China and standard radical operation is currently the main treatment for gastric cancer. Postoperative complications, especially some special complications, can directly affect the prognosis of patients, even result in the increase of mortality. But the incidences of these special complications are low, so these complications are often misdiagnosed and delayed in treatment owing to insufficient recognition of medical staff. These special complications include (1) Peterson hernia: It is an abdominal hernia developed in the space between Roux loop and transverse colon mesentery after Roux-Y reconstruction of digestive tract. Peterson hernia is rare and can quickly result in gangrenous ileus. Because of low incidence and without specific clinical symptoms, this hernia does not attract enough attention in clinical practice, so the outcome will be very serious. Once the diagnosis is made, an emergent operation must be performed immediately. Peterson space should be closed routinely in order to avoid the development of hernia. (2) Lymphatic leakage: It is also called chyle leakage. Cisterna chylus is formed by gradual concentration of extensive lymphatic net to diaphragm angle within abdominal cavity. Lymphadenectomy during operation may easily damage lymphatic net and result in leakage. The use of ultrasonic scalpel can decrease the risk of lymphatic leakage in certain degree. If lymphatic leakage is found during operation, transfixion should be performed in time. Treatment includes total parenteral nutrition, maintenance of internal environment, supplement of protein, and observation by clamp as an attempt. (3)Duodenal stump leakage: It is one of serious complications affecting the recovery and leading to death after subtotal gastrectomy. Correct management of duodenal stump during operation is one of key points of the prevention of duodenal stump leakage. Routine purse embedding of duodenal stump is recommend during operation. The key treatment of this complication is to promt diagnosis and effective hemostasis.(4) Blood supply disorder of Roux-Y intestinal loop: Main preventive principle of this complication is to pay attention to the blood supply of vascular arch in intestinal edge. (5) Anastomotic obstruction by big purse of jejunal stump: When Roux-en-Y anastomosis is performed after distal radical operation for gastric cancer, anvil is placed in the remnant stomach and anastomat from distal jejunal stump is placed to make gastrojejunal anastomosis, and the stump is closed with big purse embedding. The embedding jejunal stump may enter gastric cavity leading to internal hernia and anastomotic obstruction. We suggest that application of interruptable and interlocking suture and fixation of stump on the gastric wall can avoid the development of this complication.
Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y ; adverse effects ; China ; Chylous Ascites ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Duodenum ; blood supply ; surgery ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; mortality ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Gastric Stump ; surgery ; Hemostatic Techniques ; Hernia ; etiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Jejunum ; blood supply ; surgery ; Lymph Node Excision ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Lymphatic System ; injuries ; Postoperative Complications ; classification ; diagnosis ; mortality ; prevention & control ; Prognosis ; Stomach ; surgery ; Stomach Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Suture Techniques ; standards ; Thoracic Duct ; injuries ; Wound Closure Techniques ; standards

Chylothorax or chylous ascites are rare manifestations of liver cirrhosis. We report a rare case of simultaneous chylothorax and chylous ascites in a patient with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a pleural effusion on her right side. She had no history of recent medical procedures, trauma or tumor. There was no evidence of mass or thoracic duct obstruction in a computed tomography scan. Pleural fluid and ascites were confirmed as chylothorax and chylous ascites by chemistry analysis. Despite thorough conservative care, there was no improvement. Pleurodesis was planned, but hepatic encephalopathy developed suddenly and she did not recover.
Aged ; Ascites ; Chemistry ; Chylothorax* ; Chylous Ascites* ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurodesis ; Thoracic Duct

Chylothorax or chylous ascites are rare manifestations of liver cirrhosis. We report a rare case of simultaneous chylothorax and chylous ascites in a patient with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a pleural effusion on her right side. She had no history of recent medical procedures, trauma or tumor. There was no evidence of mass or thoracic duct obstruction in a computed tomography scan. Pleural fluid and ascites were confirmed as chylothorax and chylous ascites by chemistry analysis. Despite thorough conservative care, there was no improvement. Pleurodesis was planned, but hepatic encephalopathy developed suddenly and she did not recover.
Aged ; Ascites ; Chemistry ; Chylothorax ; Chylous Ascites ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurodesis ; Thoracic Duct

Differences in operative procedure and knowledge of esophageal cancer exist among surgeons from different countries and regions. There is controversy in the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer, especially in the extent of lymphadenectomy. Until now, results of the three-field lymphadenectomy and two-field lymphadenectomy are mostly reported by retrospective studies from Japan and China. Three-field lymphadenectomy has been initiated in Fujian Provincial Cancer Hospital since 1990s. After evaluating our database, we found that three-field was superior to two-field lymphadenectomy in terms of long-term survival for patients with upper thoracic esophageal cancer, whereas for those with middle or lower thoracic esophageal cancer, the survival benefit of three-field lymphadenectomy was reduced. Therefore, we propose to perform three-field lymphadenectomy for upper thoracic esophageal cancer. In middle or lower thoracic esophageal cancer, we suggest to perform modified two-field lymphadenectomy in most cases, and three-field lymphadenectomy in selective cases. Video-assisted two-field lymphadenectomy is feasible. Based on the national condition of China, we advise to perform thoracic duct removal only in patients with posterior mediastinal or peri-ductus node metastasis to achieve curative effect.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; China ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; classification ; mortality ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mediastinum ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thoracic Duct ; surgery ; Thoracic Neoplasms ; classification ; surgery ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted