Thoracic duct: Transports chyle from intestinal lacteals; vertically traverses and crosses visceral mediastinum, drains into left subclavian vein
Thoracic duct tear: Thoracic duct disruption
Chylothorax, chylopericardium, chylous ascites
Anatomy
Thoracic duct extends vertically from cisterna chyli in right retrocrural space, crosses midline visceral mediastinum near level of T6, ascends to thoracic inlet along left aspect of trachea and drains into left subclavian vein near junction of left internal jugular vein
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Nonvascular Interventions
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Selected References
Novelli PM et al: Interventional therapies for thoracic duct injury and intractable chylothorax. J Thorac Imaging. 34(4):258-65, 2019
Johnson OW et al: The thoracic duct: clinical importance, anatomic variation, imaging, and embolization. Eur Radiol. 26(8):2482-93, 2016
Euathrongchit J et al: Nonvascular mediastinal trauma. Radiol Clin North Am. 44(2):251-8, viii, 2006
Kumar S et al: Thoracoscopic management of thoracic duct injury: Is there a place for conservatism? J Postgrad Med. 50(1):57-9, 2004
Patten RM et al: Isolated traumatic rupture of the cisterna chyli: CT diagnosis. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 23(5):701-2, 1999
Sachs PB et al: Diagnosis and localization of laceration of the thoracic duct: usefulness of lymphangiography and CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 157(4):703-5, 1991
Related Anatomy
Loading...
Related Differential Diagnoses
Loading...
References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Pathology
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Thoracic duct: Transports chyle from intestinal lacteals; vertically traverses and crosses visceral mediastinum, drains into left subclavian vein
Thoracic duct tear: Thoracic duct disruption
Chylothorax, chylopericardium, chylous ascites
Anatomy
Thoracic duct extends vertically from cisterna chyli in right retrocrural space, crosses midline visceral mediastinum near level of T6, ascends to thoracic inlet along left aspect of trachea and drains into left subclavian vein near junction of left internal jugular vein
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Nonvascular Interventions
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Selected References
Novelli PM et al: Interventional therapies for thoracic duct injury and intractable chylothorax. J Thorac Imaging. 34(4):258-65, 2019
Johnson OW et al: The thoracic duct: clinical importance, anatomic variation, imaging, and embolization. Eur Radiol. 26(8):2482-93, 2016
Euathrongchit J et al: Nonvascular mediastinal trauma. Radiol Clin North Am. 44(2):251-8, viii, 2006
Kumar S et al: Thoracoscopic management of thoracic duct injury: Is there a place for conservatism? J Postgrad Med. 50(1):57-9, 2004
Patten RM et al: Isolated traumatic rupture of the cisterna chyli: CT diagnosis. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 23(5):701-2, 1999
Sachs PB et al: Diagnosis and localization of laceration of the thoracic duct: usefulness of lymphangiography and CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 157(4):703-5, 1991
STATdx includes over 200,000 searchable images, including x-ray, CT, MR, and ultrasound images. To access all images, please log in or subscribe.