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Case Reports
. 2024 Jan 20;2(2):181-184.
doi: 10.1016/j.atssr.2023.12.016. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Pneumonectomy Space Infection After Thoracic Duct Embolization

William Guns  1 , Benjamin D Seadler  2 , Paul L Linsky  2 , Sarah B White  3 , Mario G Gasparri  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Pneumonectomy Space Infection After Thoracic Duct Embolization

William Guns et al. Ann Thorac Surg Short Rep. .

Abstract

Thoracic duct embolization has gained widespread acceptance as an effective treatment of postoperative chylothorax. We describe a patient with chylothorax after pneumonectomy requiring thoracic duct embolization who presented again with a pneumonectomy space infection. Bacterial culture was positive for gastrointestinal flora, which suggests that the pleural space was inoculated at the time of thoracic duct embolization. We highlight the available literature that may explain the mechanism behind this occurrence and emphasize the need for expanded awareness of this potential complication.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lymphangiogram demonstrating uncontained extravasation of contrast material (arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Completion lymphangiogram highlighting successful embolization (arrow).
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Chest radiograph from the day of discharge demonstrating ethiodized oil (Lipiodol) within the pleural cavity and embolization coils. (B) Chest radiograph from the day of readmission demonstrates mediastinal shift to the left (arrows).
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