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Chest Dec 2022Chylothorax, the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, is usually caused by the disruption of the thoracic duct or its tributaries. Etiologies are broadly divided... (Review)
Review
Chylothorax, the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, is usually caused by the disruption of the thoracic duct or its tributaries. Etiologies are broadly divided into traumatic, including postsurgical, and nontraumatic, most commonly in the setting of malignancy. The management of chylothorax largely depends on the cause and includes dietary modification and drainage of the pleural space. A definitive intervention, whether surgical or a percutaneous lymphatic intervention, should be considered in patients with a persistently high volume of chylous output and in those with a prolonged leak, before complications such as malnutrition ensue. No methodologically robust clinical trials guiding management are currently available. In this article, we review the current literature and propose a stepwise, evidence-based multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with both traumatic and nontraumatic chylothorax.
Topics: Humans; Chylothorax; Thoracic Duct
PubMed: 35738344
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.06.012 -
Pediatric Pulmonology Oct 2021Chylothorax in neonates results from leakage of lymph from thoracic lymphatic ducts and is mainly congenital or posttraumatic. The clinical course of the effusion is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Chylothorax in neonates results from leakage of lymph from thoracic lymphatic ducts and is mainly congenital or posttraumatic. The clinical course of the effusion is heterogeneous, and consensus on treatment, timing, and modalities of measures has not yet been established. This review aims to present, along with levels of evidence and recommendation grades, all current therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of chylothorax in neonates.
METHODS
An extensive search of publications between 1970 and 2020 was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and UpToDate databases. A stepwise approach algorithm was proposed for both congenital and traumatic conditions to guide the clinician in a rational and systematic way for approaching the treatment of neonates with chylothorax.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The treatment strategy for neonatal chylothorax generally involves supportive care and includes drainage and procedures to reduce chyle flow. A stepwise approach starting with the least invasive method is advocated. Progression in the invasiveness of treatment options is determined by the response to previous treatments. A practical stepwise approach algorithm is proposed for both, congenital and traumatic chylothoraces.
Topics: Algorithms; Chylothorax; Drainage; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Thoracic Duct
PubMed: 34324269
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25601 -
Respiratory Medicine Oct 2019A chylothorax, also known as chylous pleural effusion, is an uncommon cause of pleural effusion with a wide differential diagnosis characterized by the accumulation of... (Review)
Review
A chylothorax, also known as chylous pleural effusion, is an uncommon cause of pleural effusion with a wide differential diagnosis characterized by the accumulation of bacteriostatic chyle in the pleural space. The pleural fluid will have either or both triglycerides >110 mg/dL and the presence of chylomicrons. It may be encountered following a surgical intervention, usually in the chest, or underlying disease process. Management of a chylothorax requires a multidisciplinary approach employing medical therapy and possibly surgical intervention for post-operative patients and patients who have failed medical therapy. In this review, we aim to discuss the anatomy, fluid characteristics, etiology, and approach to the diagnosis of a chylothorax.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Chylothorax; Diagnosis, Differential; Exudates and Transudates; Humans; Lymphography; Lymphoscintigraphy; Octreotide; Pleural Effusion; Postoperative Period; Radiography, Thoracic; Suction; Thoracentesis; Thoracic Duct; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Triglycerides
PubMed: 31454675
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2019.08.014 -
Practical Neurology Feb 2022Cerebral lipiodol embolisation is a rare but serious complication of lymphangiography. A man in his seventies had undergone lymphangiography for a refractory chyle leak...
Cerebral lipiodol embolisation is a rare but serious complication of lymphangiography. A man in his seventies had undergone lymphangiography for a refractory chyle leak following oesophagectomy. The day after lymphangiography, his conscious level dropped with bilaterally miotic pupils, increased muscle tone and double incontinence. CT scan of the head showed patchy high density throughout basal ganglia, cortex and cerebellum but no infarct, in keeping with lipiodol embolisation. He was managed initially in intensive care and subsequently underwent thoracoscopy with clipping and suturing of the left thoracic duct, and later a talc pleurodesis. At 3 months, he had some cognitive limitations and was walking with a stick.
Topics: Embolization, Therapeutic; Ethiodized Oil; Humans; Lymphography; Male; Thoracic Duct; Walking
PubMed: 34510017
DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2021-002952 -
Veterinary Surgery : VS Jan 2020To evaluate the evidence published on the treatment of idiopathic chylothorax (IC) in small animals.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the evidence published on the treatment of idiopathic chylothorax (IC) in small animals.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic literature review.
SAMPLE POPULATION
Dogs and cats with IC.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in three bibliographic databases in July 2018 for publications on IC in dogs and cats. Articles meeting criteria for inclusion were evaluated for treatment, survival, outcome data, and level of evidence (LoE) with a modified Oxford Level of Evidence (mOLE) and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) system.
RESULTS
Eleven of 313 identified articles met the inclusion criteria. Only one study was identified in dogs as having higher LoE by using the mOLE system, whereas no study was identified as such in either species with the GRADE system. Surgery was the primary treatment in all dogs and in 93% (68/73) of cats. Medical therapy was the primary treatment in 7% (5/73) of cats. The most common surgical treatment combined thoracic duct ligation (TDL) and subtotal pericardiectomy (SP; 40%; 34/84) in dogs and TDL in cats (51% [37/73]).
CONCLUSION
The body of literature for IC treatment in small animals was limited to one higher LoE study in dogs and none in cats. No strong conclusion could be drawn regarding the effectiveness of any one surgical method in dogs or cats, and no evidence was found to support medical therapy as a primary treatment.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The best available evidence regarding the treatment of IC is published in dogs and provides some support for surgical treatment with either TDL + cisterna chyli ablation or TDL + SP. Additional evidence is required to confirm this finding.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chylothorax; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ligation; Pericardiectomy; Thoracic Duct; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31508821
DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13322 -
Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound : the... Jul 2020Lymphangiography can be useful for preoperative planning in chylothorax. Conventional ultrasound-guided intranodal injection can be difficult in some cases and is...
Lymphangiography can be useful for preoperative planning in chylothorax. Conventional ultrasound-guided intranodal injection can be difficult in some cases and is dependent upon operator skill. Alternative methods have been proposed to simplify the procedure, but their feasibility has not been sufficiently evaluated in clinical cases. The primary purpose of this multicenter, retrospective, descriptive study was to assess the feasibility and describe the clinical findings of CT lymphangiography by intrametatarsal pad injection in dogs with naturally occurring chylothorax. Twenty dogs were analyzed, and enhancement of thoracic ducts (TDs) was successful in 18 (90%) dogs within 5-14 min after initiating the injection, while successful enhancement of the lymphatic vessels cranial to the popliteal lymph nodes was seen in all dogs within 5 min after injection. The dose with good success to achieve TD enhancement was 1 mL/kg (concentration 350 mg I/kg). Only two dogs had mild discomfort after recovery from general anesthesia. Computed tomography lymphangiography by intrametatarsal pad injection is a feasible, easy, and safe procedure, which could provide adequate TD and cisterna chyli enhancement, identify TD number and cisterna chyli location and structure, and contribute to surgical planning.
Topics: Animals; Chylothorax; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Lymph Nodes; Lymphography; Male; Retrospective Studies; Thoracic Duct; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 32362026
DOI: 10.1111/vru.12865 -
Asian Journal of Surgery Jul 2023
Topics: Humans; Thoracic Duct; Dilatation; Dilatation, Pathologic
PubMed: 37173246
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.03.194 -
Current Oncology Reports Oct 2022The incidence of lymphatic leakage (iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic) is growing in cancer population due to the increased complexity of the surgical procedures and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The incidence of lymphatic leakage (iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic) is growing in cancer population due to the increased complexity of the surgical procedures and improved overall survival in cancer patients. The purpose of this article is to review the contemporary approach in the field of percutaneous lymphatic embolization in cancer patients with lymphatic leaks.
RECENT FINDINGS
Since the advent of intranodal lymphangiography in 2011 alongside with the MR and CT lymphangiography, the accuracy of diagnosis of the lymphatic diseases has significantly improved significantly. These advancements have triggered a revival of minimally invasive lymphatic interventions. Lymphatic embolization is expanding from the classic indication, thoracic duct embolization, to other lymphatic disorders (chylous ascites, lymphoceles, liver lymphorrhea, protein-losing enteropathy). The growth of lymphatic research and the standardization of the lymphatic interventions require a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach between physicians and researchers.
Topics: Embolization, Therapeutic; Humans; Lymphatic System; Lymphography; Neoplasms; Thoracic Duct; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35639331
DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01293-1