Abstract
Thoracic duct cannulation was performed prior to exploratory laparotomy in 23 patients with obstructive jaundice caused by diverse factors. High flow of hemorrhagic lymph, usually under increased pressure, distinguished patients with hepatic cirrhosis from those with extrahepatic biliary obstruction and cholangiolitic hepatitis. Very low flows were observed only in patients with widespread malignancy involving the extrahepatic biliary tract. Information concerning the flow, pressure, and composition of thoracic duct lymph is helpful in understanding and distinguishing whether obstructive jaundice arises from a stone in the common bile duct, metastatic cancer, the use of a cholestatic drug, or excessive intake of alcohol.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
