Post total thyroidectomy, isolated right side chylothorax with high output fistula managed with lymphangiography

Abstract

Chylothorax is a rare complication after total thyroidectomy with radical neck dissection, and isolated right side chylothorax is even rarer. Treatment may be conservative or surgical. Besides being helpful in making a diagnosis, thoracic duct lymphangiography (TDL) may be therapeutic in some cases. However, its application in high output chylous leak is not fully explored. Here, we present a rare case of right-sided high output chylothorax, secondary to total thyroidectomy, successfully treated with TDL.

Keywords

• high outflow chylothorax
• right side chylothorax
• thoracic duct lymphangiography