Abstract:The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of the cisterna chyli (CC) in a large 3,000-patient cohort and to identify potential predisposing factors for the development of a CC. Three thousand consecutive contrast-enhanced CT examinations (1,261 women, 1,739 men, mean age 61.0 years) of the chest and/or abdomen were included in this retrospective study. Imaging characteristics of the CC (size, attenuation, location) were documented as well as clinical information (malignant d… Show more
“…While MDCT images, such as those used in the present study, are thought to be superior to MRTD images in evaluating the relation between the thoracic duct and thoracic diseases such as oesophageal cancer, lung cancer and mediastinal tumours, MRTD is recommended for detailed examination when the thoracic duct cannot be sufficiently detected on contrast-enhanced MDCT, especially in a pre-operative status. Feuerlein et al [4] reported the prevalence and characteristics of the cisterna chyli on MDCT. They reported that the cisterna chyli was found in 484 (16.1%) of 3000 patients, and the mean diameter and length of the cisterna chyli were 6.2 and 13.1 mm, respectively.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Currently, thin-slice and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images using multidetector row CT (MDCT) enable the understanding of detailed anatomy of various organs. Recently, there have been some reports regarding the evaluation of the thoracic duct and the cisterna chyli by using MDCT [3,4].…”
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal anatomy of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli obtained by axial and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images of 1 mm slice thickness using multidetector row CT (MDCT). Methods: We evaluated the ability of MDCT to examine the normal anatomy of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli. The axial and coronal images of thoracoabdominal MDCT images obtained in 50 patients (20 females and 30 males; mean age, 63.5 years; range, 32-81 years) were reviewed between January and October 2005. We excluded patients with malignant neoplasms, inflammation or vascular diseases (e.g. aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection) and those with a history of thoracoabdominal surgery. The thoracic duct was divided into three anatomical sections: the upper, middle and lower. We evaluated the degree of visualisation and the maximum size of the thoracic duct. We also evaluated the degree of visualisation, maximum size, configuration and location of the cisterna chyli. Results: Visualisation of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli was almost 100% on axial and coronal images. The lower section of the thoracic duct was most clearly visualised among the three sections. There was little difference in the maximum size of the thoracic duct among the three sections. The cisterna chyli was most frequently located at the Th12 or L1 level, and the most common type was the ''straight thin tube type''. Conclusion: Axial and MPR images of 1 mm slice thickness using MDCT can clearly depict the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli.
“…While MDCT images, such as those used in the present study, are thought to be superior to MRTD images in evaluating the relation between the thoracic duct and thoracic diseases such as oesophageal cancer, lung cancer and mediastinal tumours, MRTD is recommended for detailed examination when the thoracic duct cannot be sufficiently detected on contrast-enhanced MDCT, especially in a pre-operative status. Feuerlein et al [4] reported the prevalence and characteristics of the cisterna chyli on MDCT. They reported that the cisterna chyli was found in 484 (16.1%) of 3000 patients, and the mean diameter and length of the cisterna chyli were 6.2 and 13.1 mm, respectively.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Currently, thin-slice and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images using multidetector row CT (MDCT) enable the understanding of detailed anatomy of various organs. Recently, there have been some reports regarding the evaluation of the thoracic duct and the cisterna chyli by using MDCT [3,4].…”
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal anatomy of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli obtained by axial and multiplanar reformation (MPR) images of 1 mm slice thickness using multidetector row CT (MDCT). Methods: We evaluated the ability of MDCT to examine the normal anatomy of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli. The axial and coronal images of thoracoabdominal MDCT images obtained in 50 patients (20 females and 30 males; mean age, 63.5 years; range, 32-81 years) were reviewed between January and October 2005. We excluded patients with malignant neoplasms, inflammation or vascular diseases (e.g. aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection) and those with a history of thoracoabdominal surgery. The thoracic duct was divided into three anatomical sections: the upper, middle and lower. We evaluated the degree of visualisation and the maximum size of the thoracic duct. We also evaluated the degree of visualisation, maximum size, configuration and location of the cisterna chyli. Results: Visualisation of the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli was almost 100% on axial and coronal images. The lower section of the thoracic duct was most clearly visualised among the three sections. There was little difference in the maximum size of the thoracic duct among the three sections. The cisterna chyli was most frequently located at the Th12 or L1 level, and the most common type was the ''straight thin tube type''. Conclusion: Axial and MPR images of 1 mm slice thickness using MDCT can clearly depict the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli.
“…The estimated prevalence of CC is widely variable, ranging from 2% to 83%. 66 The CC is located in the right retrocrural space and usually originates at L1-L2. It has an attenuation or signal intensity near that of water and generally has a tubular configuration.…”
“…It is generally approximately 7 mm in axial cross-sectional diameter and 15–30 mm long; it has been suggested that diameter larger than 10 mm correlates with the presence of an underlying malignancy [ 22 ] . Although the CC usually shows the attenuation of water (average ∼5 HU [ 22 ] ), the attenuation may be elevated due to increased protein content or after the injection of intravenous contrast (particularly in patients with renal failure). Fatty attenuation may occasionally be seen, most likely due to dietary fat intake; a fat-fluid level may rarely be detected.…”
Section: The Cysterna Chyli Simulating Mediastinal Lymph Node Enlargementioning
confidence: 99%
“…The CC may vary in size depending on the phase of respiration, degree of hydration, and the peristalsis of the muscular lower one-third of the thoracic duct [ 23 ] . The structure is visible on approximately 16% of CT scans [ 22 ] and can usually be differentiated from an abnormal lymph node by its characteristic appearance and location. Figure 4The CC (a, arrow) may simulate an abnormal retrocrural lymph node.…”
Section: The Cysterna Chyli Simulating Mediastinal Lymph Node Enlargementioning
A computed tomography (CT) incidentaloma is an incidentally detected and previously unsuspected finding or abnormality that is not related to the indication for obtaining the CT examination. The aim of this article is to review the frequency of incidentalomas on chest CT scans, discuss the potential clinical significance of the findings, and suggest guidelines for reporting, further evaluation, and follow-up, with particular focus on thyroid lesions, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes and lung nodules.
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