Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002; 50(4): 250-252
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33099
Case Report
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Lymphoscintigraphy using
Technetium-99m Human Serum
Albumin in Chylothorax

T.  Stavngaard1 , J.  Mortensen1 , J.  Brenoe2 , L.  B.  Svendsen2
  • 1Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rigshospitalet,
    Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 2Departments of Thoracic Surgery, General Surgery and Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet,
    Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
Further Information

Publication History

Received February 25, 2002

Publication Date:
07 August 2002 (online)

Abstract

Chylous effusion is an infrequent complication of abdominothoracic surgery. When conservative therapy cannot cure the patient, surgical closure of the thoracic duct must be performed. If radiological lymphography is impossible to perform, lymphoscintigraphy with Tc-99m human serum albumin is a good alternative. Here, we present two patients who developed chylothorax after abdominothoracic surgery. Successful surgery was performed after lymphoscintigraphy had demonstrated the disruption of the thoracic duct.

References

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  • 2 Sun S S, Tsai S C, Hsu N Y, Shih C S, Lee J K, Kao C H. Preoperative and postoperative lymphoscintigraphy using Tc-99m sulfur colloid in the repair of a lymphatic leak in a patient with traumatic chylothorax.  Clin Nucl Med. 2000;  10 840-841
  • 3 Baulieu F, Baulieu J L, Mesny J. et al . Visualization of the thoracic duct by lymphoscintigraphy.  Eur J Nucl Med. 1987;  13 264-265
  • 4 Inoue Y, Otake T, Nishikawa J, Sasaki Y. Lymphoscintigraphy Using Tc-99m Human Serum Albumin in Chylothorax.  Clin Nucl Med. 1997;  22 60

Correspondence

MD Trine Stavngaard

Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine 4011

Blegdamsvej 9

2100 Copenhagen

Denmark

Phone: +45 3545 4011

Fax: +45 3545 4015

Email: stavngaard@dadlnet.dk