Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2025

A Coregistered Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging Protocol for the Transvaginal Imaging of Ovarian Lesions
Published on: March 3, 2023
Enlarged Cisterna Chyli Diagnosed with Ultrasonography - Case Report
Wojciech Łyczek1, Bartosz Migda2, Michał Kutyłowski3
1Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics and Mammography, Mazovian Brodnowski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland.
Aim Of The Study:
We present a case report of enlarged cisterna chyli in a 25-year-old woman. The diagnosis was made during a routine abdominal ultrasound examination and afterwards verified with contrast-enhanced MRI.
Case Description:
Ultrasound revealed a large, lobulated, anechoic cystic structure with thin, smooth walls, lacking any solid components. The lesion was located in the retroperitoneal space, beneath the head of the pancreas, between the partially compressed inferior vena cava and the aorta, extending almost to the aortic bifurcation. We performed a contrast-enhanced MRI examination which confirmed the sonographic suspicion of enlarged cisterna chyli, showing a non-enhancing cystic lesion in continuity with the thoracic duct.
Conclusions:
Anatomy, sonographic and magnetic resonance appearance of cisterna chyli as well as differential diagnosis are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called...
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Urologic Endoscopic Procedure: Cystoscopic Examination
Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):

