Cervicothoracic Injury with Retropharyngeal Chyle Leak-Diagnostic Dilemma and Management: Case Report

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Neck trauma can lead to complex injuries.
• Retropharyngeal chyle collection is a rare but serious complication.
• Dysphagia and airway compromise are significant presenting symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of retropharyngeal chyle collection secondary to neck trauma.
• To highlight the diagnostic and management challenges.
• To emphasize the importance of timely surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 55-year-old female with bull gore trauma.
• Imaging confirmed a prevertebral fluid collection.
• Surgical drainage and thoracic duct ligation via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

Main Results:

• Confirmed retropharyngeal chyle collection.
• Successful management of high-output leak with thoracic duct ligation.
• Resolution of dysphagia and airway compromise.

Conclusions:

• Thoracic duct injury at the cervicothoracic junction is a rare but serious trauma complication.
• High suspicion and timely diagnosis are crucial.
• Surgical intervention, including VATS ligation, ensures favorable outcomes for isolated retropharyngeal collections.