Percutaneous radiological management of high‐output chylothorax with CT‐guided needle disruption

Abstract

We present the study of a 58-year-old man who underwent percutaneous management of a high-output chylothorax following cardiac bypass graft surgery. The patient presented to a peripheral hospital 3 weeks postoperatively following cardiac bypass graft surgery with shortness of breath. A chest radiograph taken on arrival to the emergency department showed a large left-sided pleural effusion. Subsequent intercostal chest tube insertion drained a large amount of chylous fluid. The patient was treated conservatively with no improvement until undergoing a CT-guided needle disruption of lymphatics with good effect. This case is presented to show the minimally invasive treatment methods that are available in the management of high-output chylothorax.