Assessing the results of thoracic duct embolization for chyle leakage after thyroidectomy in patients with thyroid cancer

Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Phạm Hồng Cảnh, Trần Nguyễn Khánh Chi, Triệu Quốc Tính, Đoàn Tiến Lưu, Lê Tuấn Linh

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: chylous leakage after operation of head and neck is rare but well-known complication. Almost patients with this complication can be treated conservatively but in patients with high flow leakage, the following treatments will be very complicated.
Purpose: to report the results of percutaneous thoracic duct embolization (TDE) treatment for chylous leakage of the neck in patients post thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node dissection due to thyroid cancer.
Methods: 15 consecutive patients with high flow chylous leak post thyroidectomy were sent to our hospital after failed conservative treatment.
All patient were undergone intra nodal lymphagiography then thoracic duct embolization.
Results: Fifteen patients with cervical chylorrhea through drainage more than 300 ml/day during average 2 weeks (1 to 5 weeks) were included in this study. TDE was archived in 15/15 patients in which 14/15 TD were embolized ategrade and 1/15 TD was embolized retrograde. One patient had recurrent chylous leakage after 1 week due to recanalization of TD. She was then undergone TD sclerosis injection under CT scanner guidance. All patients had clinical successful with no chylorrhea after intervention. No major complication was noted. All patients were discharged in following weeks after intervention.
Conclusion: TDE is minimal invasive and effective treatment for cervical chylous leakage post thyroidectomy.

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References

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