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Idiopathic chylopericardium treated by percutaneous thoracic duct embolization after failed surgical thoracic duct ligation

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Abstract

Chylopericardium rarely occurs in pediatric patients, but when it does it is most often a result of lymphatic injury during cardiothoracic surgery. Primary idiopathic chylopericardium is especially rare, with few cases in the pediatric literature. We report a 10-year-old boy who presented with primary idiopathic chylopericardium after unsuccessful initial treatment with surgical lymphatic ligation and creation of a pericardial window. Following readmission to the hospital for a right-side chylothorax resulting from the effluent from the pericardial window, he had successful treatment by interventional radiology with percutaneous thoracic duct embolization. This case illustrates the utility of thoracic duct embolization as a less-invasive alternative to surgical thoracic duct ligation, or as a salvage procedure when surgical ligation fails.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Malachi Courtney & Raj R. Ayyagari

  2. Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, 789 Howard Avenue, P.O. Box 208042, New Haven, CT, 06520-8042, USA

    Malachi Courtney & Raj R. Ayyagari

Authors
  1. Malachi Courtney
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  2. Raj R. Ayyagari
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Correspondence to Raj R. Ayyagari.

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Courtney, M., Ayyagari, R.R. Idiopathic chylopericardium treated by percutaneous thoracic duct embolization after failed surgical thoracic duct ligation. Pediatr Radiol 45, 927–930 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-014-3182-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-014-3182-y

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