title: Percutaneous translymphatic thoracic duct embolization for treatment of chylothorax.
abstract: A modified technique for transabdominal, translymphatic occlusion of the thoracic duct is described. During unilateral lymphangiography an abdominal lymph vessel was punctured with a fine needle under fluoroscopic guidance, and a 4 French access to the lymph system established. The thoracic duct was successfully embolized with coils and tissue adhesive in a patient with postoperative high output chylothorax. Chylous drainage immediately decreased after the intervention, the intercostal drain could be removed after seven days. Long term follow up over a ten months period confirmed the clinical success; the patient is still free of pleural effusions.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. schild@uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schild
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy; D006801:Humans; D008220:Lymphography; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging