Direct puncture sclerotherapy of a thoracic duct cyst presenting as an enlarging left supraclavicular mass.

Abstract

A 58-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass at the base of the left neck which she had first noticed 12 years previously, shortly after abdominal surgery. The mass had progressively enlarged, resulting in dysphagia, dyspnea and occasional pain. Imaging showed a septated but otherwise simple cystic mass extending into the mediastinum and containing lymphocytic fluid on aspiration. A diagnosis of the rare entity of a thoracic duct cyst with supraclavicular extension was made. The patient opted for percutaneous sclerotherapy of the lesion, which was performed using glacial acetic acid. This resulted in complete resolution of the mass with one treatment. After exclusion of other causes of cystic left supraclavicular masses including cystic neoplasms and pseudoaneurysms of the carotid or subclavian arteries, direct puncture sclerotherapy can be safe and effective.

• Authors: Yasha Kadkhodayan, Motoyo Yano, DeWitte T Cross 3rd
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 2013 (Oct 30 2013) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24172771 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Sclerosing Solutions

Topics

• Biopsy, Needle
• Clavicle
• Contrast Media
• Female
• Fluoroscopy (methods)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Mediastinal Cyst (diagnostic imaging, pathology, therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Neck
• Patient Safety
• Punctures
• Risk Assessment
• Sclerosing Solutions (therapeutic use)
• Sclerotherapy (methods)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Thoracic Duct (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed (methods)
• Treatment Outcome