A rare case of recurrent cystic dilatation of the cisterna chyli treated via an interventional approach

Abstract

A 27-year-old man with a long history of intermittent, severe abdominal pain for approximately 10 years was evaluated by interventional radiology for a retrocrural cystic lesion found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Prior to evaluation, he was extensively worked up by several gastrointestinal specialties and multiple surgeons without clear etiology of his abdominal pain. This retrocrural cystic lesion found on MRI was thought to be the source of his cyclic abdominal pain occurring every few months. Since the pain was aggravated by the consumption of fatty foods, the patient was advised to intake a large quantity of fatty foods and return for repeat serial computed tomography (CT) scans until this cystic lesion could be identified. Once identified, he was taken back to the procedural CT scanner for drainage and embolization with a mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue and lipiodol (1:3 ratio). 3 years post-intervention, this patient is now asymptomatic with complete resolution of his pain.