Progressive lymphangiectasis and recurrent chylothorax in a dog after thoracic duct ligation.

Abstract

A 2-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog was examined to determine the cause of bilateral pleural effusion. Torsion was diagnosed, and a lobectomy of a lung lobe was performed. Chylothorax developed 12 days after lung lobectomy. Mesenteric lymphangiography revealed lymphangiectasis Lymphangiography immediately after surgical thoracic duct was completely obstructed, but chylothorax persisted after thoracic duct ligation. Lymphangiography was repeated 50 days after ligation of the thoracic duct and revealed multiple patent thoracic duct branches and progressive lymphangiectasis. A second attempt to ligate the thoracic duct caused the effusion to become serosanguineous. A pleuroperitoneal shunt with a manually operated pump chamber was used to remove the pleural effusion. Chylothorax was again detected 50 weeks after placement of shunt. Mesenteric lymphangiography revealed multiple patent thoracic duct branches and a lymphatic plexus that extended across the thoracic cavity.

• Authors: S J Kerpsack, D D Smeak, S J Birchard
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 207 Issue 8 Pg. 1059-62 (Oct 15 1995) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7559046 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Animals
• Chylothorax (etiology, veterinary)
• Dog Diseases (etiology, surgery)
• Dogs
• Ligation (veterinary)
• Lung (surgery)
• Lung Diseases (surgery, veterinary)
• Lymphangiectasis (etiology, veterinary)
• Lymphography (veterinary)
• Male
• Pleural Effusion (etiology, surgery, veterinary)
• Recurrence
• Thoracic Duct (pathology, surgery)
• Torsion Abnormality