Abstract
Chylous reflux is a manifestation of primary or secondary lymphatic obstruction. Primary lymphatic obstruction is defined as lymphangiectasia and incompetency of lymphatic valves without an underlying cause. Lymphangiectasia resulting from trauma, neoplasm, irradiation, or inflammation characterizes secondary lymphatic obstruction. Leakage of chyle into the uterus, vagina, bladder, or rectum can occur with either primary or secondary lymphatic obstruction. We report a patient with chylous vaginal discharge, a rare presentation of primary chylous reflux syndrome. CT-lymphangiography and magnetic resonance imaging clearly depicted this disorder. To our knowledge, only 20 cases of chylous vaginal discharge have been reported previously; chylous vaginal drainage occurred in the absence of chylous uterine reflux in only three. Although this is a rare anomaly, chylous reflux should be considered in a child with chronic vaginal discharge and lower extremity swelling.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 11 February 1997 Accepted: 7 April 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shahlaee, A., Burton, E., Sabio, H. et al. Primary chylous vaginal discharge in a 9-year-old girl: CT-lymphangiogram and MR appearance. Pediatric Radiology 27, 755–757 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002470050219
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002470050219