Lymphoscintigraphic localization of a high-output chylus leak after bilateral lung transplantation

Sven Peterss; Klaus Friedrich Gratz; Nawid Khaladj; Christian Hagl; Gregor Warnecke; Stefan Fischer; Axel Haverich

doi:10.1016/j.healun.2010.10.017

Lymphoscintigraphic localization of a high-output chylus leak after bilateral lung transplantation

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2011 Apr;30(4):481-3. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2010.10.017. Epub 2010 Dec 18.

Authors

Sven Peterss¹, Klaus Friedrich Gratz, Nawid Khaladj, Christian Hagl, Gregor Warnecke, Stefan Fischer, Axel Haverich

Affiliation

¹ Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, Hannover, Germany. peterss.sven@mh-hannover.de

PMID: 21169034
DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2010.10.017

Abstract

We report the case of a 59-year-old man who developed a high-output chylothorax after bilateral lung transplantation. For exact localization of the leak, lymphoscintigraphy was performed before re-thoracotomy by application of Tc-99m-nanocolloid single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT), which showed a radioactive accumulation in the medial lower thoracic cavity, localized below the right upper pulmonary vein. This technique is actually an overly complex, time-consuming procedure for proper surgical planning in selected cases.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Chyle / diagnostic imaging*
Chylothorax / diagnostic imaging*
Humans
Lung Transplantation / adverse effects*
Male
Middle Aged
Radionuclide Imaging
Radiopharmaceuticals
Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

Radiopharmaceuticals
Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid