Open AccessChylothorax associated with lymphatic reflux in a thoracic duct tributary after lung cancer surgery
Author(s) -
Ishida Hironori,
Nakazawa Ken,
Yanagihara Akitoshi,
Umesaki Tetsuya,
Taguchi Ryo,
Yamada Akiko,
Nitanda Hiroyuki,
Sakaguchi Hirozo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
thoracic cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1759-7714
pISSN - 1759-7706
DOI - 10.1111/1759-7714.14062
Subject(s) - chylothorax , medicine , thoracic duct , chyle , lymphatic system , surgery , lung cancer , lymph duct , pathology , complication
Chyle leaks are attributed to damage to the thoracic duct itself or its tributaries during surgery. Chylothorax after lung cancer surgery can occur due to damaged thoracic duct tributaries; however, little is known of the mechanism involved. A 71‐year‐old female underwent a left upper lobectomy with hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy for a 1.8‐cm primary squamous cell carcinoma, and developed a chylothorax a day later. Catheter lymphangiography revealed high‐flow chyle leaks from a damaged thoracic duct tributary, known as a bronchomediastinal lymph trunk, due to a lymphatic reflex from the thoracic duct. Subsequently, catheter embolization of the tributary repaired the chylothorax. The potential for persistent chylothorax after lung cancer surgery and successful lymphatic intervention should be noted.