Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Thoracic Duct Sclero-Embolization for Persistent Chylothorax
Rodrigo Gobbo Garcia1, Rafael Dahmer Rocha, Juliana Franceschini
1From the Departments of *Interventional Radiology and †Thoracic Surgery, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Postoperative chylous leak is often a consequence of thoracic duct injury during surgical procedures. Persistent chylothorax can be an extremely morbid condition. The authors describe a case of a refractory and long-standing chylous leak after thoracotomy for mediastinal lymphangioma removal. The patient was treated with a computed tomography-guided percutaneous thoracic duct sclero-embolization after failure of the conventional therapies. The chest tube output abruptly decreased after the procedure and was removed at 13th day. Percutaneous thoracic duct sclero-embolization proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of a persistent chylothorax.
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