Intranodal lymphangiography in the treatment of chylous ascites

Abstract

Chylous ascites is the presence of lymph from the thorax or bowel in the abdominal cavity. In Western countries, the most common causes of chylous ascites in adults are tumours, cirrhosis, and postoperative leakage, whereas the most common causes in children are congenital lymphatic anomalies and trauma. By contrast, in developing countries, infectious causes are responsible for most cases of chylous ascites. We present a case of chylous ascites secondary to acute necrotising pancreatitis refractory to conservative treatment that was definitively resolved after intranodal lymphangiography with lipiodol. This is a safe and efficacious minimally invasive treatment for lymphatic leakage.