title: Percutaneous transcervical thoracic duct embolization for treatment of a cervical lymphocele following anterior spinal fusion: a case report.
abstract: Thoracic duct injury is an uncommon complication of neck dissection and cervical spinal surgery that is associated with significant morbidity. The authors describe an unusual case of thoracic duct injury during anterior spinal fusion resulting in a large prevertebral lymphocele presenting with dysphagia, respiratory distress, and chyloptysis. Surgical closure of the lymphocele was unsuccessful, and percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy was performed. A large thoracic duct branch communicating with the lymphocele became evident during sclerotherapy, and embolization of the duct was performed via a percutaneous transcervical approach. Symptoms immediately resolved, and the patient remained asymptomatic at 6-month follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Dr., Columbus, OH 43205. Electronic address: patrick.warren@nationwidechildrens.org.
authors.forename: Patrick S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Shiels
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008210:Lymphocele / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: PTDE; percutaneous thoracic duct embolization