Evolution of Thoracic Duct Congestion after Portal Decompression by TIPS in Cirrhotic Patients

To evaluate the thoracic duct (TD) diameter on CT scan in a population of cirrhotic patients before and after relief of portal hypertension by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion. To evaluate the association between the initial TD diameters and the cirrhosis severity, the morphological signs of portal hypertension and the clinical success of TIPS.

This retrospective monocentric study included 54 cirrhotic patients who underwent TIPS insertion between 2010 and 2020. Measurements of the TD were performed in CT scan at two distinct points: at the cisterna chyli (CC) and at the terminal TD near the lymphovenous junction.

The mean diameter of the TD was 6.4 mm (± 2.9) at the CC and 6.9 mm (± 1.9) near the lymphovenous junction. After TIPS, the mean diameter decreased to 5.1 (± 2.1) at the CC (p < 0.001) and to 4.3 (± 1.5) at the terminal TD (p = 0.001). The initial TD diameter was associated with the presence of voluminous venous collaterals (p = 0.04 at CC and p = 0.04 junction). The initial terminal TD diameter was weakly associated with the largest axis of the spleen (r = 0.126, p = 0.03) and moderately associated with the azygos vein diameter (r = 0.511, p = 0.001). Initial TD diameter was not associated with Child-Pugh score (r = 0.276, p = 0.08 and r = 0.169, p = 0.7) or with clinical success of TIPS on ascites (p = 0.33 and 0.60) or on bleeding (p = 0.13 and 0.99).

The diameter of the TD decreases after TIPS, but its initial diameter does not seem to be predictive of the clinical success of TIPS.