Direct percutaneous embolization of intestinal lymphatic trunk for chylous ascites management following liver transplant

Abstract

Chylous ascites can be caused by infection, trauma, malignancy, or maybe a complication after major abdominal surgery including liver transplantation. We present a case of a patient who developed chylous ascites following his liver transplantation. He was subsequently treated with direct embolization of lymphatic trunk efferent branches with a mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate and lipiodol after the identification of a localized leak on a fluoroscopic lymphangiogram. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of chylous ascites following liver transplantation that was treated with direct embolization of intestinal lymphatic trunk branches. Keywords: Chylous ascites, N-butyl cyanoacrylate, Intestinal lymphatic, Liver transplantation