Thoracic duct imaging by conventional and new modalities

Learning Objectives 1. To review the thoracic duct imaging by conventional modalities including radiography, scintigraphy, CT, and Ultrasonography (US). 2. To demonstrate the three-dimensional (3D) thoracic duct imaging by MRI, 3D-US, and SPECT/CT. 3. To discuss the clinical applications of the thoracic duct imaging.

Because chylothorax due to thoracic duct injury is a severe complication of trauma and intrathoracic surgery, thoracic duct imaging is clinically important. However, use of conventional thoracic duct imaging including radiographic lymphography, US, computed tomography has been limited because of their difficult procedure or invasiveness. Recently, 3D thoracic duct imaging using MRI, 3D-US, and SPECT/CT has been reported. They are simple and low invasive methods to image thoracic duct. Assessing the 3-D course of thoracic duct before the intrathoracic surgery may prevent the thoracic-duct injury by a surgical procedure. In this exhibition, we review the thoracic duct imaging by conventional and new modalities, and demonstrate the techniques and clinical applications of the 3D thoracic duct imaging by the new modalities