Lymphoscintigraphy using technetium-99m human serum albumin in chylothorax

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.