Evaluation of Cervical Thoracic Duct Exploration in Idiopathic Chyluria: A Retrospective Comparative Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a novel surgical method for idiopathic chyluria.

Data from 63 patients with idiopathic chyluria who underwent direct lymphangiography (DLG) were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 50 patients received cervical thoracic duct exploration (CTDE) as a treatment, while 13 were managed with a low-fat diet. The treatment efficacy of the two groups was compared, and a univariate analysis of the CTDE treatment effect was performed.

DLG revealed that the contrast agent passed upwards and outwards through paravertebral lymphatics into the region of the renal hilum and pelvis (left: 38.10%; right: 33.33%; bilateral: 28.57%). Dilatation of retroperitoneal lymphatics was found in 90.47% of cases. Additionally, 47.6% of patients demonstrated contrast agent reflux into lymphatic trunks in the neck (the percentage of contrast agent reflux to the jugular trunk, subclavian trunk, and broncho-mediastinal trunk being 28.57%, 38.09%, and 6.34%, respectively). The effective rate in the CTDE group was higher than in the low-fat diet group (χ² = 5.893, p=0.015). Univariate analysis of the patients who underwent CTDE demonstrated that younger age (p=0.036) and Grade III chyluria were risk factors for ineffective treatment, while patients with Grade I had better treatment outcomes (p=0.029).

Obstruction of the cervical thoracic duct may be a significant cause of idiopathic chyluria. Alleviating this obstruction may be an effective treatment strategy for idiopathic chyluria.