title: Drainage of subcutaneous lymphatic fluid for the management of respiratory distress in a case of generalized lymphangiectasia in an infant.
abstract: A 10-month-old girl was referred to our hospital because of congenital and persistent bilateral chylothorax and generalized lymphedema as well as long-standing respiratory disturbance. Radiological studies showed a diffuse network of superficial lymphatic vessels without major trunks throughout her entire body as well as the lung. She was diagnosed with systemic lymphangiomatosis complicated with pulmonary lymphangiectasia. Percutaneous puncture in the lower leg was performed to discharge the lymphatic fluid and proved to be effective for the respiratory disturbance. This procedure is safe and easy and effectively improves the quality of life of the patient and the family in case of such a persistent disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kumamoto University Hospital, Honjo 1-1-1, 860-8556 Kumamoto, Japan. hrieko47@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rieko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hamamoto
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nishimori
authors.forename: Toshiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Izaki
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okumura
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohshiro
authors.forename: Hirotoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inomata
mesh_terms: D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008200:Lymphangiectasis / Q000150:complications*; D011677:Punctures; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*