Published in:
01-04-2019 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Case Report
Pediatric chylothorax—lymphatic imaging enables targeted surgical treatment
Authors:
Simon Kargl, Beate Maier-Hiebl
Published in:
Indian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|
Issue 2/2019
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Abstract
Chylothorax—the collection of lymphatic fluid in the pleural space—is a rare finding in otherwise healthy adolescents. Initially, clinical signs and symptoms are often non-specific and a wide range of underlying causes necessitates extensive diagnostic workup. Treatment options include dietary measures, medical treatment, and various surgical procedures. We report about a 12-year-old boy with accidental diagnosis of chylothorax. Lymphatic imaging led to visualization of a leakage of an accessory left-sided thoracic duct and thoracoscopic clipping was successfully performed. Lymphatic imaging procedures depict underlying causes of chylothorax allowing targeted therapeutic management.