Anatomic demonstration of the mechanism of chyluria by lymphangiography, with successful surgical treatment

Lymphatic Interventional Treatment for Chyluria via Retrograde Thoracic Duct Access

Chyluria is the leakage of intestinal lymph (chyle) into the urine. Novel lymphatic intervention techniques, such as interstitial lymphatic embolization, proved to be a useful treatment option for chyluria. However, one of the challenges of this approach is the difficulty in identifying connections between the lymphatic system and kidney collecting system. Here, embolization of the abnormal lymphatic connection through retrograde thoracic duct access in 3 chyluria patients is introduced.

Chylocolporrhea or chylous vaginal discharge: diagnostic conundrum with therapeutic challenge

BACKGROUND

Chylocolporrhea or chylous vaginal discharge is an extremely rare manifestation of chylous reflux syndrome. Continuous loss of chyle adversely affects quality of life and results in increased morbidity due to the chronic loss of nutrients. Diagnosis and management of this condition is very challenging.

CASE HISTORY

A 35-year-old multiparous lady presented with the chief complaints of excessive milky vaginal discharge for 10 years. Microscopic and biochemical analysis of vaginal discharge along with hysteroscopy confirmed diagnosis of chylocolporrhea. Lymphoscintigraphy along with magnetic resonance imaging revealed site of leakage from the right external iliac lymphatics. She was started on medium-chain triglycerides-rich diet and meticulous ligation of all visible megalymphatics with tension-free lymphovenous anastomosis was done to right external iliac vein.

CONCLUSION

Chylocolporrhea can be managed successfully using operative and nonoperative modalities.

Lymphoscintigraphic Findings in Chylous Reflux in a Lower Extremity

Lymphoscintigraphy is a useful and safe tool for the diagnostic evaluation of a swollen extremity. Unilateral leg swelling with cutaneous chylous vesicles is a common manifestation of chylous reflux. The authors present a case of chylous reflux in an 11-year-old boy who presented with swelling and skin lesions of the left lower extremity.

Treatment of symptomatic primary chylous disorders

PURPOSE

Primary chylous disorders (PCDs) are rare. Rupture of dilated lymph vessels (lymphangiectasia) may result in chylous ascites, chylothorax, or leakage of chyle through chylocutanous fistulas in the lower limbs or genitalia. Chyle may reflux through incompetent lymphatics, causing lymphedema. To assess the efficacy of surgical treatment, we reviewed our experience.

METHODS

The clinical data of 35 patients with PCDs treated between January 1, 1976, and August 31, 2000, were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Fifteen men and 20 women (mean age, 29 years; range, 1 day-81 years) presented with PCDs. Sixteen (46%) patients had chylous ascites, and 19 (54%) had chylothorax (20 patients), and of these, 10 (29%) had both. In 16 patients, reflux of chyle into the pelvic or lower limb lymphatics caused lymphedema (14, 88%) or lymphatic leak through cutaneous fistulae (11, 69%). Presenting symptoms included lower-limb edema (19, 54%), dyspnea (17, 49%), scrotal or labial edema (15, 43%), or abdominal distention (13, 37%). Primary lymphangiectasia presented alone in 23 patients (66%), and it was associated with clinical syndromes or additional pathologic findings in 12 (yellow nail syndrome in 4, lymphangiomyomatosis in 3, unknown in 3, Prasad syndrome (hypogammaglobulinemia, lymphadenopathy, and pulmonary insufficiency) in 1, and thoracic duct cyst in 1). Twenty-one (60%) patients underwent 26 surgical procedures. Preoperative imaging included computed tomography scan in 15 patients, magnetic resonance imaging in 3, lymphoscintigraphy in 12, and lymphangiography in 14. Fifteen patients underwent 18 procedures for chylous ascites or pelvic reflux. Ten (56%) procedures were resection of retroperitoneal/mesenteric lymphatics with or without sclerotherapy of lymphatics, 4 (22%) were lymphovenous anastomoses or grafts, 3 (17%) were peritoneovenous shunts, and 1 (6%) patient had a hysterectomy. Six patients underwent eight procedures for chylothorax, including thoracotomy with decortication and pleurodesis (4 procedures), thoracoscopic decortication (1 patient), ligation of thoracic duct (2 procedures), and resection of thoracic duct cyst (1 patient). Postoperative mean follow-up was 54 months (range, 0.3-276). Early complications included wound infections in 3 patients, elevated liver enzymes in 1, and peritoneovenous shunt occlusion with innominate vein occlusion in 1. All patients improved initially, but four (19%) had recurrence of symptoms at a mean of 25 months (range, 1-43). Three patients had postoperative lymphoscintigraphy confirming improved lymphatic transport and diminished reflux. One patient died 12 years postoperatively, from causes unrelated to PCD.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half of the patients with PCDs require surgical treatment, and surgery should be considered in patients with significant symptoms of PCD. Lymphangiography is recommended to determine anatomy and the site of the lymphatic leak, especially if lymphovenous grafting is planned. All patients had initial benefit postoperatively and two thirds of patients demonstrated durable clinical improvement after surgical treatment.

Nontropical chyluria secondary to massive mesenteric adenitis. Case report with metabolic and immunologic studies

This report describes metabolic and immunologic studies in a 17-year-old white man with nontropical chyluria secondary to massive mesenteric adenitis. Numerous red cells and mature lymphocytes were observed in the urine, and cystoscopic examination demonstrated chyle emanating from both ureteral orifices. Retrograde studies demonstrated pyelolymphatic backflow, and lymphangiography revealed prominent lymphaticocaliceal communications. Twenty-four-hour urinary studies showed proteinuria and lipiduria, which decreased after lymphangiography and a low-fat diet. Skin tests for delayed hypersensitivity were nonreactive, the lymphocyte count was decreased, and lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen were normal. Chyluria ceased after interruption and ligation of the renal and mesenteric lymphatics.

Chyluria: result of surgical treatment in 50 cases

We treated 50 patients with chyluria by stripping the renal pedicle. Until further studies reveal the etiology of chyluria ligation and stripping of the pedicle remain the treatment of choice and this fact has been borne out by our long-term results.

Non-parasitic chyluria (presenting with urinary retention)

Two cases of non-parasitic chyluria are presented each presenting with retention of urine. Abnormal communications in both cases have been demonstrated lymphangiographically. The thoracic ducts were patent and there was no evidence of filariasis. Surgical removal of the anomalous dilated lymphatics was carried out, the patients being symptom-free at 7 and 10 years. The two cases seem to have lymphatic malformations which may be the basis of the disorder.