Lymphoscintigraphy using technetium-99m human serum albumin in chylothorax.
Chylous effusion is an infrequent complication of abdominothoracic surgery. When conservative therapy cannot cure the patient, surgical closure of the thoracic duct must be performed. If radiological lymphography is impossible to perform, lymphoscintigraphy with Tc-99m human serum albumin is a good alternative. Here, we present two patients who developed chylothorax after abdominothoracic surgery. Successful surgery was performed after lymphoscintigraphy had demonstrated the disruption of the thoracic duct.
Stavngaard
T
T
Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. stavngaard@dadlnet.dk
Mortensen
J
J
Brenoe
J
J
Svendsen
L B
LB
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002299:Cardia / Q000601:surgery*; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin