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Idiopathic primary chylopericardium in a dog
Sarah E Boston1, Noël M Moens, Dawn M Martin
1Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|December 19, 2006
Summary
This case report details a Labrador Retriever with chylopericardium preceding chylothorax. Surgical intervention, including thoracic duct ligation and pericardectomy, successfully resolved the canine
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Pericardial effusion in dogs can lead to cardiac tamponade.
- Chylopericardium, the accumulation of chylous fluid in the pericardial space, is a rare condition.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing canine pericardial effusion.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old Labrador Retriever presented with symptoms of pericardial effusion.
- Echocardiography confirmed severe pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade.
- Initial pericardiocentesis revealed chylous fluid, diagnosing chylopericardium.
Findings:
- Conservative management failed to resolve the chylopericardium.
- The condition progressed to include chylothorax (chylous fluid in the pleural space).
- Subtotal pericardectomy and thoracic duct ligation were performed, utilizing intraoperative lymphangiography for duct delineation.
Implications:
- This is the first reported case of chylopericardium developing before chylothorax in a dog.
- Combined thoracic duct ligation and pericardectomy offers a successful treatment for complex chylous effusions.
- This case highlights the importance of timely surgical intervention for refractory pericardial effusion in dogs.
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