Bilateral chylothorax following reoperative central neck dissection for metastatic papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract

Locoregional recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) can occur in up to 30% of patients within 10 years after initial treatment. Reoperative surgery can be challenging due to scarring, fibrosis and distorted anatomy and may be associated with increased complications compared with initial operations. Chylothorax is an extremely rare and potentially life-threatening complication that can be associated with neck dissections and thyroid surgery. In this report, we describe an unusual case of bilateral chylothorax following a left central neck dissection for recurrent PTC.

Lymph node dissection morbidity in thyroid cancer: an integrative review

“…In these cases, pleural ultrasonography and the installation of a drain seem to be necessary for diagnosis and therapy. [ 27 , 28 ] The drainage shows a milky, cloudy puncture fluid with a high triglyceride content. A chyle leak can cause metabolic disorder through protein loss and a loss of immunoglobulins, vitamins, and electrolytes.…”

Linfoadenectomia cervicale nel carcinoma tiroideo: una rassegna integrata per le complicanze

“…Come rara complicanza, può svilupparsi un chilotorace, con conseguente versamento, dispnea o spostamento mediastinico. In questi casi, l'ecografia pleurica e il drenaggio toracico sembrano essere necessarie per la diagnosi e la terapia [27,28]. Questo mostra un fluido di puntura lattiginoso e torbido con un alto contenuto di trigliceridi.…”