Quilotórax y abdomen agudo quiloso en el contexto de un vaciamiento ganglionar cervical / Chylothorax and chyloperitoneum in the setting of neck lymph node dissection

RESUMEN La presencia de quilotórax y de abdomen agudo quiloso luego de un vaciamiento ganglionar cervical izquierdo es una complicación muy poco frecuente. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 24 años a quien se le realizó un vaciamiento ganglionar cervical bilateral por metástasis de carcinoma de tiroides. El segundo día del posoperatorio presentó dolor abdominal. Los estudios complementarios permitieron diagnosticar quilotórax y abdomen agudo quiloso, posiblemente como consecuencia de la ligadura inadvertida del conducto torácico. Se realizó el tratamiento médico y el drenaje percutáneo de ambas cavidades. Debido a buena evolución se indicó el alta hospitalaria con el drenaje abdominal, y continuar el seguimiento en forma ambulatoria. El tratamiento médico controlado para las lesiones del conducto torácico constituye la primera opción. En caso de mala evolución se debe pensar en la resolución quirúrgica sin demora.

ABSTRACT Chylothorax and chyloperitoneum after left lymph node dissection are rare complications. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman with a history of total thyroidectomy with bilateral lymph node dissection for metastases of papillary thyroid carcinoma. On postoperative day 2 the patient presented generalized abdominal pain. The complementary tests allowed for the diagnosis of chylothorax and chyloperitoneum. Medical treatment was started and percutaneous drainage of both cavities. The patient had favorable outcome and was discharged with the abdominal drain and indication of follow-up in the outpatient clinic. Supervised medical treatment for thoracic duct injuries constitute the first treatment option. Surgery should not be delayed in case of poor outcome.

Outcomes of Chylothorax Nonoperative Management After Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chylothorax after thoracic surgery is a severe complication with high morbidity and mortality rate of 0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06 - 0.02). There is no agreement on whether nonoperative treatment or early reoperation should be the initial intervention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the conservative approach to treat chyle leakage after cardiothoracic surgeries. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed®, Embase, Cochrane Library Central, and LILACS (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde) databases; a manual search of references was also done. The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent cardiothoracic surgery, patients who received any nonoperative treatment (e.g., total parenteral nutrition, low-fat diet, medium chain triglycerides), and studies that evaluated chylothorax resolution, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, infection, morbidity, and mortality. Central Message Nonoperative treatment for chylothorax after cardiothoracic procedures has significant hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, and reoperation rates. Results: Twenty-two articles were selected. Pulmonary complications, infections, and arrhythmia were the most common complications after surgical procedures. The incidence of chylothorax in cardiothoracic surgery was 1.8% (95% CI 1.7 - 2%). The mean time of maintenance of the chest tube was 16.08 days (95% CI 12.54 - 19.63), and the length of hospital stay was 23.74 days (95% CI 16.08 - 31.42) in patients with chylothorax receiving nonoperative treatment. Among patients that received conservative treatment, the morbidity event was 0.40 (95% CI 0.23 - 0.59), and reoperation rate was 0.37 (95% CI 0.27 - 0.49). Mortality rate was 0.10 (95% CI 0.06 - 0.02). Conclusion: Nonoperative treatment for chylothorax after cardiothoracic procedures has significant hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, and reoperation rates.

The essential role of thoracic duct embolization in management of traumatic iatrogenic chylothorax / O papel fundamental da embolização do ducto torácico no manejo de quilotórax traumático iatrogênico

Abstract This study aims to describe a case series of patients who underwent thoracic duct embolization (TDE) to treat traumatic iatrogenic chylothorax (TIC). Three patients were included: Case #1, a 49-year-old woman with follicular lymphoma developed a TIC following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to resect a solid right paravertebral mass and was treated with TDE using microcoils and N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue. Case #2, a 68-year-old man with cardiac amyloidosis developed a TIC following heart transplantation and was treated with TDE using microcoils and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. Case#3: A 6-year-old patient with congenital heart disease developed a TIC following a Fontan procedure and was treated with TDE using NBCA glue. All lesions were identified during lymphangiography and TDE was successfully performed in all cases. TDE is a safe and valuable technique that provides minimally invasive treatment for TCI.

Resumo Este estudo objetiva descrever uma série de casos de pacientes submetidos a embolização do ducto torácico (EDT) para tratamento de quilotórax iatrogênico (QI). Três pacientes foram incluídos. Caso 1: um homem de 49 anos com linfoma folicular apresentou QI após ressecção de uma massa paravertebral por toracoscopia vídeo-assistida e foi submetido a EDT com micromolas e n-butil-cianoacrilato (NBCA). Caso 2: um homem de 68 anos com amiloidose cardíaca apresentou QI após ser submetido a transplante cardíaco e foi submetido a EDT com micromolas e copolímero de etileno e álcool vinílico. Caso 3: um paciente de 6 anos com malformação cardíaca congênita apresentou QI após cirurgia de Fontan e foi submetido a EDT com NBCA. Todas as lesões foram identificadas durante a linfangiografia, e a EDT foi realizada com sucesso. A EDT é uma técnica segura e valiosa, que pode oferecer um tratamento minimamente invasivo em casos de QI.

Clinical analysis of 25 cases of adult cervical lymphangioma / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of adult cervical lymphangioma.Methods:Twenty-five cases of adult cervical lymphangioma admitted at Department of Lymphatic Surgery of Beijing Shijitan Hospital from Feb 2017 to Jun 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 25 cases,there were 5 males and 20 females, aged from 18 to 58 years. Radionuclide lymphoscintigraphy performed in 25 cases, increased radioactivity in the neck tumor area was seen in 8 cases; Direct lymphangiography performed in 17 cases,outlet obstruction of cervical thoracic duct was found in 14 cases. Twenty one cases were treated by operation and followed up for 6-47 months. No recurrence was found; 4 cases abandoned surgery, 1 case was lost to follow-up, and the other 3 cases were followed up for 16-48 months with tumor progresses.Conclusions:Adult cervical lymphangioma is lymphangiomalformation disease. Total resection of the tumor and avoiding damage to the thoracic duct is the key for successful management.

Imaging features of 99Tc m-dextran lymphoscitigraphy in thoracic duct exports obstruction / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To compare the 99Tc m-dextran(DX) lymphoscitigraphy and direct lymphography (DLG), in order to investigate the imaging features and clinical significance of 99Tc m-DX lymphoscitigraphy in patients with thoracic duct exports (TDE)obstruction. Methods:A total of 304 patients (140 males, 164 females, median age: 32 years) with TDE obstruction confirmed by thoracic duct exploration between 2017-01-01 and 2019-01-01 in Beijing Shijitan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the different imaging characteristics of TDE, the reluts of 99Tc m-DX lymphoscitigraphy were divided into five groups (Ⅰ: no TDE presenting; Ⅱ: TDE presenting temporarily; Ⅲ: TDE presenting constantly or extensively; Ⅳ: abnormal reflux of imaging agents; Ⅴ: bilateral venous angle presenting). Ⅰ/Ⅱ groups were regarded as negative and Ⅲ-Ⅴ groups as positive. The consistency of 99Tc m-DX lymphoscitigraphy with DLG was evaluated with Kappa test, and the positive rates of the two methods were compared by McNemar test. Results:In the detection of TDE, the positive rate of 99Tc m-DX lymphoscintigraphy was 70.1% (213/304), which was significantly lower than that of DLG (97.4%, 296/304; χ2=4.16, P<0.001). The group Ⅲ has the largest number of cases (54.9%, 167/304), and there was a low consistency with DLG ( Kappa=0.08, P=0.005). However, there was a higher consistency between 99Tc m-DX lymphoscintigraphy results and the corresponding DLG results in the groups Ⅳ/Ⅴ ( Kappa values: 0.48, 0.86, both P<0.001). Furthermore, the diagnostic accordance rates of lower extremity lymphedema and chylous effusion were 96.1%(98/102) and 83.6%(127/152), respectively, compared with the clinical diagnosis. Conclusions:TDE obstruction of 99Tc m-DX lymphoscitigraphy presents in the majority with Ⅲ type. 99Tc m-DX lymphoscitigraphy results in patients with type Ⅳ and Ⅴ have a better consistency with those of DLG. 99Tc m-DX lymphoscitigraphy can be used as a screening tool of TDE obstruction, and play a role in the diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema and chylous effusion caused by TDE obstruction.

Retrograde thoracic duct approach via left venous angle in the treatment of chylothorax / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and effect of retrograde thoracic duct approach via left venous angle in the treatment of chylothorax.Methods:From July 2019 to April 2021, the clinical data of 16 patients with chylothorax in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Tongji University were retrospectively collected. All patients underwent percutaneous inguinal lymphography, super selective retrograde thoracic duct catheterization was attempted via the left venous angle. Successful patients underwent direct thoracic ductography. After the position of the rupture was shown, the thoracic duct was embolized with microcoils and glue.Results:The inguinal lymphography of 16 patients was successful, and the end of thoracic ducts was identified. Retrograde thoracic duct catheterizations were successful in 10 patients, 6 cases showed contrast agent overflow in thoracic ductography, and the thoracic ducts were embolized using microcoils combined with glue. Chylothorax was improved in 16 patients, and 6 cases were completely cured. All patients had no serious complications.Conclusion:It is an effective and feasible method to treat chylothorax by retrograde thoracic ductography and embolization approach via left venous angle.

Percutaneous balloon plasty for thoracic duct obstruction in a patient with chyluria / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Chyluria is characterized by the presence of chyle in the urine. The most common cause of non-parasitic chyluria is the upstream obstruction of the thoracic duct and reflux of the chyle into the renal collecting system. Traditional treatments include dietary modifications and surgery. The recently developed new interventional technique to treat chyluria. Here, we firstly reported one case of chyluria caused by thoracic duct obstruction in China, which was successful treated with intranodal lymphangiography combined by percutaneous balloon plasty. The symptoms of chyluria were completely relieved after our operation, which provides a minimally invasive, safe and effective method for patients with ineffective chyluria after conservative treatment or surgery.

Tratamiento conservador del quilotórax posquirúrgico en paciente pediátrico / Conservative treatment of post-surgical chylothorax in pediatric patient

INTRODUCCIÓN. El quilotórax resulta de un daño al conducto torácico por ruptura, laceración, desgarro o compresión. Es una patología rara de derrame pleural en la edad pediátrica, pero frecuente como complicación posterior a cirugía cardiotorácica. La base del tratamiento conservador se ha fundamentado en: drenaje inicial, modificación de la dieta, uso de somatostatina o análogos sintéticos como octreotide, cirugía, prevención y manejo de complicaciones. Fue preciso describir la experiencia institucional clínica así como su abordaje. CASO CLÍNICO. Paciente masculino de 4 meses de edad, que ingresó a la Unidad Pediátrica Área de Emergencias del Hospital de Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín, el 13 de septiembre de 2019 con antece-dente quirúrgico de atresia de esófago corregida en etapa neonatal. Acudió con dificultad respiratoria, radiografía de tórax que evidenció derrame pleural derecho, toracentesis diagnóstica con salida de líquido de aspecto turbio y lechoso; se colocó tubo de tórax derecho. Se prescribió ayuno inicial, nutrición parenteral durante 4 semanas hasta comprobar resolución del quilotórax. Fue dado de alta en condición estable tras 43 días de hospitalización. DISCUSIÓN. La evidencia científica registró que el tratamiento conservador del quilotórax se basó en: drenaje, reposo digestivo inicial, nutrición parenteral, modificación cualitativa de la dieta enteral y uso de octreotide; el mismo que fue aplicado al paciente de este caso clínico con evolución favorable. CONCLUSIÓN. El tratamiento conservador y multidisciplinario en el abordaje del qui-lotórax fue exitoso y no necesitó manejo quirúrgico.

INTRODUCTION. Chylothorax results from damage to the thoracic duct by rupture, la-ceration, tear or compression. It is a rare pathology of pleural effusion in pediatric age, but frequent as a complication after cardiothoracic surgery. The basis of conservative treatment has been based on: initial drainage, diet modification, use of somatostatin or synthetic analogues such as octreotide, surgery, prevention and management of complications. It was necessary to describe the clinical institutional experience as well as its approach. CLINICAL CASE. A 4-month-old male patient was admitted to the Emergency Area Pediatric Unit of the Carlos Andrade Marín Specialties Hospital on september 13, 2019 with a surgical history of esophageal atresia corrected in the neonatal stage. He went with respiratory distress, chest X-ray that showed right pleural effusion, diagnostic thoracentesis with outflow of cloudy and milky fluid; a right chest tube was placed. Initial fasting was prescribed, parenteral nutrition for 4 weeks until resolution of the chylothorax was verified. He was discharged in stable condition after 43 days of hospitalization. DISCUSSION. The scientific evidence recorded that the conservative treatment of chylothorax was based on: drainage, initial digestive rest, parenteral nutrition, qualitative modification of enteral diet and use of octreotide; the same that was applied to the patient of this clinical case with favorable evolu-tion. CONCLUSION. Conservative and multidisciplinary treatment in the approach to chylothorax was successful.

Thoracic duct lymphangioma and chylous ascites in a 24-year-old female

Lymphangiomas are rare and correspond to 0.7% to 4.0% of mediastinal tumors, and isolated mediastinal location occurs in 1% of cases. They are benign tumors that originate from a congenital malformation of the lymphatic vessels and are diagnosed more frequently in children less than 2 years of age. Chylous ascites is a clinical manifestation of thoracic duct lymphangioma and is composed of lymph accumulation caused by dilation of this lymphatic channel. It appears milky in the peritoneal cavity, containing triglyceride levels higher than 200 mg/dl. We report the case of a young patient with chylous ascites and lymphangioma of the thoracic duct, who was conservatively treated with octreotide and a low-fat diet with medium-chain triglycerides.

Extrapleural closure of patent Ductus Arteriosus: how we do it

Abstract Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a clinical condition mostly found in premature newborns. Among several medical, surgical and interventional treatment options, extrapleural ligation through a left minithoracotomy is recognized as a safe, efficient and less expensive technique. In fact, it requires short surgical times, grants good exposure of the duct and nearby structures (e.g., thoracic duct, left recurrent laryngeal nerve), and avoids pleural space opening and subsequent pulmonary complications in preterm patients. This approach seems ideal due to its lower costs, especially in developing countries with a high birth rate and limited resources.

Chylous ascites developing after open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a patient with marfan syndrome

Abstract Chylous ascites is the pathologic accumulation of chylous fluid in the peritoneal cavity, caused by lymphomas, metastatic malignancies, and abdominal surgeries, rarely due to surgical trauma of the cisterna chyli or its major branches. A 24-year-old man with history of Marfan syndrome presented to our hospital with abdominal distention, abdominal pain, fluid in the incision region, and weakness. He had underwent an elective open aneurysm repair surgery nine days before for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Computed tomography revealed massive fluid collection in the abdominal cavity, which was drained surgically. He was diagnosed with chylous ascites and was discharged after conservative treatment.

Retracted: Management and overview of postoperative chylothorax after congenital cardiothoracic surgery

The article " Management and overview of postoperative chylothorax after congenital cardiothoracic surgery " is retracted by the Editor-in-Chief, on the request of corresponding author and co-authors who informed errors in data collection after departmental review and post hoc analysis. The article is retracted because the results may be affected due to the errors.

A Canine Model for Lymphangiography and Thoracic Duct Access

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technical feasibility of intranodal lymphangiography and thoracic duct (TD) access in a canine model.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five male mongrel dogs were studied. The dog was placed in the supine position, and the most prominent lymph node in the groin was accessed using a 26-gauge spinal needle under ultrasonography (US) guidance. If the cisterna chyli (CC) was not opacified by bilateral lymphangiography, the medial iliac lymph nodes were directly punctured and Lipiodol was injected. After opacification, the CC was directly punctured with a 22-gauge needle. A 0.018-in microguidewire was advanced through the CC and TD. A 4-Fr introducer and dilator were then advanced over the wire. The microguidewire was changed to a 0.035-in guidewire, and this was advanced into the left subclavian vein through the terminal valve of the TD. Retrograde TD access was performed using a snare kit.RESULTS: US-guided lymphangiography (including intranodal injection of Lipiodol [Guerbet]) was successful in all five dogs. However, in three of the five dogs (60%), the medial iliac lymph nodes were not fully opacified due to overt Lipiodol extravasation at the initial injection site. In these dogs, contralateral superficial inguinal intranodal injection was performed. However, two of these three dogs subsequently underwent direct medial iliac lymph node puncture under fluoroscopy guidance to deliver additional Lipiodol into the lymphatic system. Transabdominal CC puncture and cannulation with a 4-Fr introducer was successful in all five dogs. Transvenous retrograde catheterization of the TD (performed using a snare kit) was also successful in all five dogs.CONCLUSION: A canine model may be appropriate for intranodal lymphangiography and TD access. Most lymphatic intervention techniques can be performed in a canine using the same instruments that are employed in a clinical setting.

Impact of thoracic duct ligation on substance metabolism and surgical complications in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus during esophagectomy / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the impact of thoracic duct ligation (TDL) on metabolism and postoperative complications during esophagectomy in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods    We conducted a retrospective clinical data analysis of 230 esophageal carcinoma patients with T2DM who underwent esophagectomy in our hospital from January 2003 to December 2018. Patients were divided into a TDL+ group (n=112), including 78 males and 34 females aged 63.47±7.23 years, and a TDL– group (n=118), including 84 males and 34 females aged 64.38±7.57 years. We compared the blood glucose, liver function parameters and lipid metabolic parameters at different time points before and after surgery. In addition, we compared the postoperative major complications between the two groups. Propensity score-matched (PSM) was used to control the observed confounders. Results    Compared with the TDL–group, patients in TDL+ group had higher blood glucose level (P<0.05, except the fourth postoperative day). The total protein and albumin levels on the first and fourth postoperative days in the TDL+ group were lower than those in the TDL– group (P<0.05). The alanine transaminase (P=0.027) and aspartate transaminase (P=0.007) levels on the fourth postoperative day in the TDL+ group were higher than those in the TDL– group. More pulmonary complications (P=0.014) and anastomotic leaks (P=0.047) were found in the TDL+ group. Conclusion    Given that TDL may aggravate metabolic disorders, increase anastomotic leaks and the pulmonary complications, it is cautious to perform TDL, and prophylactic TDL should not be performed routinely for patients with T2DM.

Chyle Leak after a Simple Hemithyroidectomy: An Extremely Rare Situation

@#Chyle leak is a well-known complication that can occur after a thyroidectomy with neck dissection; however, it rarely occurs after thyroidectomy alone. Here, we report a case of chyle leak following a left hemithyroidectomy for a benign solitary thyroid nodule. Based on the literature search, this is only the second reported case of a chyle leak after a simple hemithyroidectomy without any central or lateral neck dissection. Amongst the possible causes, we hypothesize that the use of intraoperative nerve monitor may be a contributing factor. Treatment options are explored and the patient was treated successfully with nonoperative management.

Left-Sided Cisterna Chyli: a Case Report on a Rare Normal Anatomic Structure

The cisterna chyli, a dilated lymphatic sac in the retrocrural space, is usually located to the right of the aorta. We report a case of a left-sided cisterna chyli, which was incidentally detected on the radiologic examinations of a preoperative workup for cholangiocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed a cisterna chyli measuring 2.5 cm in length in the left retrocrural space. The dilated lumbar lymphatics joined with the cisterna chyli, which was continuous with the left-sided thoracic duct. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second antemortem case of a left-sided cisterna chyli in literature. The cisterna chyli can mimic retrocrural lymphadenopathy, solid tumor with cystic degeneration, abscess or hematoma. The left-sided cisterna chyli should be referred to as a structure so as to be cautious in surgical approach.

Lymphangiographic Interventions to Manage Postoperative Chylothorax / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Postoperative chylothorax may be caused by iatrogenic injury of the collateral lymphatic ducts after thoracic surgery. Although traditional treatment could be considered in most cases, resolution may be slow. Radiological interventions have recently been developed to manage postoperative chylothorax. This study aimed to compare radiological interventions and conservative management in patients with postoperative chylothorax.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed periprocedural drainage time, length of hospital stay, and nil per os (NPO) duration in 7 patients who received radiological interventions (intervention group [IG]) and in 9 patients who received conservative management (non-intervention group [NG]).RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the patients in the IG and NG were comparable; however, the median drainage time and median length of hospital stay after detection of chylothorax were significantly shorter in the IG than in the NG (6 vs. 10 days, p=0.036 and 10 vs. 20 days, p=0.025, respectively). NPO duration after chylothorax detection and total drainage duration were somewhat shorter in the IG than in the NG (5 vs. 7 days and 8 vs. 14 days, respectively).CONCLUSION: This study showed that radiological interventions reduced the duration of drainage and the length of hospital stay, allowing an earlier return to normal life. To overcome several limitations of this study, a prospective, randomized controlled trial with a larger number of patients is recommended.

The clinical value of lymphatic trunk lesions in primary facial lymphedema / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the imaging features and etiology of lymphatic trunk in primary facial lymphedema.@*Methods@#26 patients with primary facial lymphedema patients (F/M, 13/13, ages 21.8 ± 13.9 years old) were recruited from January 2015 to October 2017 in this study, with 32 sides facial lymphedema reported, including 6 right facial lymphedema, 14 left facial lymphedema, and 6 bilateral facial lymphedema. And all the patient data and imaging were retrospective analysis to summarize the MR imaging features of thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct, meanwhile compared with surgical results.@*Results@#For all 26 patients, MR imaging result in thoracic duct manifests 32 lymphatic duct, including 20 thoracic duct and 12 right lymphatic duct. The imaging features demonstrate two typical findings: dilated(13 cases) and slim(7 cases) demonstrations. While for right lymphatic duct, the MR result included three types: dilated(6 cases), slim(4 cases) and no sign of manifestations(2 cases). In surgery, the thoracic duct in cervical segment demonstrated abnormal structures, including capsulated by fibrous tissues in peripheral area(30 sides), surrounded by internal jugular vein sheath(11 sides), external pressed by venae cervicalis transversa(5 sides) and lymphatic trunk dysplasia(2 sides).@*Conclusions@#MR thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct imaging can be used as an effective diagnostic imaging method for primary facial lymphedema, and the structural anomaly of the upper cervical catheter and the right lymphatic catheter may be one of the pathogenic factors of primary facial lymphedema.

Treatment of cervical chylous fistula under the guidance of lymphangiography / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical value of lymphangiography in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical chylous fistula.Methods The clinical data of 7 patients with chylous fistula at Department of Lymph Surgery,Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Shijitan Hospital from Jul 2010 to Aug 2015 was retrospectively analyzed.Lymphangiography was performed to investigate the site of fistula and condition of thoracic duct.Results There were 1 male and 6 female patients aging from 22 to 59 years.All patients underwent lymphangiography successfully with dynamic imaging clearly,which accurately showed the location of the leakage and the anatomy of the thoracic duct.There was compensatory branch or trunk drainage in 2 cases which underwent successful conservative treatment,the other 5 cases with leak ＞ 500 ml a day without clear compensatory branch underwent surgical treatment and were cured with no major complications.Conclusion Lymphangiography not only clearly locates the leakage and anatomical relationship of the thoracic duct,but also guides the choice of treatment and precise surgery,avoiding the secondary injury.

Anatomical Variations Of The Human Thoracic Duct

Background and Aims: The thoracic duct is the major lymphatic duct in the human body, the variations in theorigin, course and termination of the thoracic duct are of great clinical importance during surgeries related tothe upper abdomen, posterior mediastinum and in cervical region, but still now a detailed study had not beendone in Andhra Pradesh state, it was decided to undertake this present study. Isolation of the thoracic duct andtracing the origin, course and termination were done to know more about it than already documented andthereby hoping to add more information to guide the radiologists and operating surgeons.Materials and methods: A total number of 45 cadavers were studied, of these 15 were female and 30 were malecadavers. The material consisted of adult cadavers between the ages of 42-81 from the dissection halls ofdepartment of anatomy of 3 different medical colleges in costal Andhra Pradesh.Results: The observations of the formation, course, length, vertebral levels, types of cisterna chili, and variationsin the termination in cervical region are documented in this study. Conclusion: The present findings showed agreat variability compare the previous studies. The findings noted in the present study regarding thoracic ducthad contributed to a better understanding of the anatomy of the thoracic duct and will prove definitely useful tosurgeons during surgical procedures related to the thoracic duct.