Thoracoscopic resection of a thoracic duct cyst that developed during follow-up for a thymic cyst

A case of a thoracic duct cyst extending from the mediastinum to the cisterna chyli resected using bilateral thoracoscopic surgery in the prone position

BACKGROUND

Thoracic duct cysts are extremely rare mediastinal tumors. We report a case of a thoracic duct cyst extending from the caudal aspect of the left main bronchus to the left renal artery that was safely and completely resected via bilateral thoracoscopic surgery in the prone position.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 77-year-old male was referred to our hospital for follow-up computed tomography (CT) of prostate cancer, which revealed a mediastinal tumor and fatty low-density along the posterior mediastinum of the para-aortic artery with a slightly high-density component. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T2-weighted image with high intensity. The preoperative radiological diagnosis was lipoma or well-differentiated liposarcoma. CT in the prone position suggested that the tumor could be resected from the thoracic cavity to the caudal side, and bilateral thoracoscopic surgery was performed in the prone position. Based on the surgical findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a thoracic duct cyst rather than a lipoma. Dissection around the thoracic duct cyst was performed using a vessel-sealing system to prevent leakage of the chyle, and reliable clipping was performed to resect the cisterna chyli. Histopathological examination revealed smooth muscle structures around the cyst, suggestive of a thoracic duct cyst. The diagnosis of a thoracic duct cyst was made based on a high triglyceride level of 1310 mg/dL on examination of the milky-white cyst fluid. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged 4 days postoperatively. A CT scan performed 13 months after surgery showed no recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

A rare thoracic duct cyst extending from the mediastinum to the cisterna chyli was safely and completely resected using bilateral thoracoscopic surgery, with the patient in the prone position.

Spontaneous retropharyngeal and mediastinal thoracic duct cyst in an infant with respiratory distress

Thoracic duct cysts (TDC) within the retropharyngeal space and mediastinum are exceedingly rare lesions, with the majority related to trauma or neoplasm. We describe a case of an otherwise healthy 8-month-old boy who presented with severe respiratory distress, which was found to be caused by a large, spontaneous TDC occupying most the retropharyngeal and mediastinal space. To our knowledge, this is the youngest patient to date presenting with TDC. Ultimately, his TDC was completely resolved with sclerotherapy, however the patient's age and size presented unique challenges to his medical management, which we describe below.

Chylopericardium following thoracoscopic resection of a mediastinal cyst: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Thoracic duct cysts are very rare, and diagnosis is often difficult. We report a rare case of chylopericardium following thoracic duct cyst resection. There are no established guidelines on the management of such cases. We reviewed the literature on postoperative complications after thoracic duct cyst resection, and conducted the first thorough review of the etiology and management of chylopericardium in surgical cases.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 54-year-old male presented with cardiac tamponade due to chylopericardium. He had undergone resection of a thoracic duct cyst 2 years previously, which was complicated by postoperative chylothorax. Chyle accumulation resolved with conservative treatment.

DISCUSSION

Chylothorax is a frequent complication following thoracic duct cyst resection, especially in cases where no intraoperative diagnosis is reached. Diagnosis may be difficult due to anomalous location of the cyst, as in our case. Chylopericardium is rarely reported, and may have occurred in our case because of prior pleurodesis. Chyle accumulation can reportedly be managed with diet restrictions in over half of reported cases, especially in cases of lung or mediastinal tumor resection.

CONCLUSION

The most important points highlighted by this rare case of chylopericardium secondary to thoracic duct cyst resection are: 1) pedicles should be ligated in cyst resections, regardless of location; 2) careful assessment in the initial surgery may help identify the point of leakage; 3) low-fat diet is the first choice in the initial management of postoperative chylopericardium, but surgical repair may be considered in cases with no response after>2 weeks of conservative treatment.

Evolution of chylous fistula management after neck dissection

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review is focused on the management of lymphatic, chylous, and thoracic duct lesions following head and neck surgery, with particular attention to these complications after neck dissection. Postoperative scenarios may include chylous fistula, chylothorax, chylomediastinum, chylopericardium, lymphocele, persistent lymphorrhea, and secondary lymphedema.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a paucity of literature on the treatment of lymphatic, chylous, and thoracic duct injuries following head and neck surgery; however, this review suggests that the most appropriate treatment should include both conservative and surgical approaches. Nonsurgical options consist of low-fat diet with medium-chain triglycerides, total parenteral nutrition, careful monitoring of fluid and electrolytes, drainage of the leakage, somatostatin analogs such as octreotide, and negative-pressure wound therapy. On the other hand, surgical management includes therapeutic percutaneous lymphography-guided thoracic duct cannulation and embolization, thoracic duct ligation, excision and imbrication of leaking lymphatics, chylous fistula surgical/microsurgical repair, fistula closure by locoregional flaps, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, thoracotomy, pleurodesis and decortication, pericardial 'window', and pleura-venous/pleura-peritoneal shunts. In addition, single or, preferably, multiple lymphovenous anastomoses may be taken into account.

SUMMARY

The various possible clinical presentations of such challenging lymphatic, chylous, and thoracic duct injuries require an appropriate multidisciplinary approach by experienced teams. Primary prevention of these complications can be achieved through adequate surgical planning to minimize lesions, including structured and thorough patient assessment, and centralization of resources and teams.