Primary chylopericardium.
In a 23-year-old man with massive chylous pericardial effusion, oral administration of Sudan III and radio-active 131iodine-labelled triolein revealed an abnormal communication between the lymphatic system and the pericardial sac. Despite partial pericardiectomy and resection of the thoracic duct, the fluid reaccumulated, and a postoperative lymphangiogram showed an obstructed left thoracic duct. Resection of this left thoracic duct resulted in full recovery. This is the first reported case of this disease with a duplicate thoracic duct. Careful attention must be paid to the possibility of this variation before and during surgery.
D000328:Adult; D002913:Chyle; D006801:Humans; D008220:Lymphography; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000601:surgery*; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery