Anatomic variation of the thoracic duct and visualization of mediastinal lymph nodes: a lymphographic study.

Of 243 thoracic ducts (TD) demonstrated during pedal lymphography, 65 (26.8%) had anatomic variations. In 58 of 65 cases with TD variants, mediastinal lymph nodes were visualized. This suggests that the radiographic appearance of mediastinal nodes is associated with TD anatomic variations. Two or more channels in the cervical portion of the thoracic duct were seen in 195 of the 243 cases. A classification of these anatomic variations is proposed.