New application of direct lymphangiography in the diagnosis and treatment of chylothorax after lung cancer surgery: a case series

Abstract

Background: Chylothorax is caused by accumulation of chylous fluid in the thoracic cavity following injury to the thoracic duct or its tributaries. It is a rare but relatively severe complication of lung cancer surgery, especially after lung resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection. If chylothorax is not treated promptly and effectively, it may result in relatively high mortality rate. Although the majority of patients with chylothorax secondary to lung cancer surgery can be treated with conservative measures, there are still some patients who fail to respond to conservative treatment or suffer from recurrent episodes. This study aims to explore the causes of postoperative chylothorax and how targeted treatment can help achieve better outcomes.

Methods: Four cases of chylothorax secondary to lung cancer surgery are reported in which patients underwent direct lymphangiography (DLG) after failed conservative treatment.

Results: Thoracic duct obstruction was found in all patients on DLG, as well as dilated intrathoracic part of the thoracic duct. Thoracic duct reconstruction was performed to successfully treat 3 of the 4 patients.

Conclusions: DLG is of great value in the diagnosis of chylothorax secondary to lung cancer surgery, for which thoracic duct reconstruction proves to be an effective procedure. DLG provides a new objective basis for the diagnosis and treatment of chylothorax. It is our best wish to help more patients with chylothorax secondary to lung cancer surgery.

Keywords: Direct lymphangiography (DLG); case series; chylothorax; lung cancer; thoracic duct obstruction.