A Giant Thoracic Duct Cyst as the Cause of Abdomen Pain: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Thoracic duct cysts, which may be of congenital or degenerative origin, are very rare lesions. Most patients are asymptomatic, but when symptoms are present they include cough, dyspnea, dysphagia and chest pain. However, in this case report a 35-year-old male patient presented to us with intermittent abdomen pain. Clinical symptoms and radiographic findings helped to identify a giant thoracic duct cyst in this patient. Surgical resection of the cyst resolved the abdominal symptoms. This was the first case reported in the literature of a thoracic duct cyst with the symptoms of abdominal pain.

Robotic resection of a thoracic duct cyst

“…TDCs can be observed anywhere along the course of the thoracic duct, from its origin at the cysterna chyli in the abdomen to the right posterior mediastinum to the left neck where the duct inserts into the confluence of the left subclavian and internal jugular veins. [ 1 ] TDCs are thought to arise from a congenital weakness in the wall of the thoracic duct. [ 1 ] Presenting symptoms can include dysphagia, dyspnoea, coughing, abdominal pain, spontaneous chylothorax, supraclavicular or neck mass or as an incidental finding on imaging.…”

“…[ 1 ] TDCs are thought to arise from a congenital weakness in the wall of the thoracic duct. [ 1 ] Presenting symptoms can include dysphagia, dyspnoea, coughing, abdominal pain, spontaneous chylothorax, supraclavicular or neck mass or as an incidental finding on imaging. [ 1 ]…”

“…[ 1 ] Presenting symptoms can include dysphagia, dyspnoea, coughing, abdominal pain, spontaneous chylothorax, supraclavicular or neck mass or as an incidental finding on imaging. [ 1 ]…”

“…Thoracic duct cysts (TDCs) are uncommon, with only 63 cases reported in the literature. [ 1 ] Nevertheless, thoracic surgeons should consider the possibility of a TDC when a mass is found anywhere along the course of the thoracic duct. Surgical resection is performed to confirm diagnosis and to relieve symptoms.…”

Percutaneous Transhepatic and Translumbar Sclerotherapy of a Thoracic Duct Cyst: A Case Report

“…1,2 Such cysts may be accompanied with intermittent abdominal pain. 1 To accurately diagnose and prevent potential complications such as spontaneous or traumatic cyst rupture, surgery and subsequent histological examination are required. [2][3][4] Here, we describe percutaneous transhepatic and translumbar sclerotherapy of a thoracic duct cyst located in the right retrocrural and retrocardiac regions, which are difficult to access using conventional surgery.…”