• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.299-301
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• 2018

A 7-year-old intact female Shih-Tzu with chylothorax was presented. Percutaneous popliteal computed tomographic lymphangiography was performed to evaluate the thoracic duct and seek any potential cause of chylothorax. Despite two attempts, visualization of the thoracic duct failed and perianal subcutaneous computed tomographic lymphangiography with injection of iodinated, nonionic water-soluble contrast medium (0.6 ml/kg) was performed. A single branch of intact thoracic duct and dilated and tortuous lymphatics were detected. It was diagnosed as idiopathic chylothorax. Perianal subcutaneous lymphangiography is considered a less-invasive, easy and reliable method to visualize lymphatics in patients with chylothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2020

Background: Chylothorax after congenital heart surgery is not an uncommon complication, and it is associated with significant morbidity. However, consensus treatment guidelines are lacking. To improve the treatment outcomes of patients with postoperative chylothorax, we implemented a standardized management protocol at Severance Hospital in September 2014. Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated at a single center was done. All corrective and palliative operations for congenital heart disease performed at our institution between January 2008 and April 2018 were reviewed. The incidence and treatment outcomes of postoperative chylothorax were analyzed. Results: The incidence of chylothorax was 1.9%. Sixty-one percent of the patients could be managed with a low-fat diet, while 28% of the patients required complete restriction of enteral feeding. Thoracic duct embolization was performed in 2 patients and chest tube drainage decreased immediately after the procedure. No patient required thoracic duct ligation or pleurodesis. After implementation of the institutional management protocol, the number of chest tube drainage days decreased (median, 24 vs. 14 days; p=0.45). Conclusion: Implementing a strategy to reduce postoperative chylothorax resulted in an acceptable incidence of postoperative chylothorax. Instituting a clinical practice protocol helped to curtail the treatment duration and to decrease the requirement for surgical treatment. Image-guided embolization of the thoracic duct is an effective treatment for postoperative chylothorax.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 1975

Various factors influencing the lymph flow from thoracic duct were investigated in an attempt to evaluate their contributing degree and the mechanisms. Sixteen mongrel dogs weighing between 10 and 16 kg were anesthetized and polyethylene catheters were inserted into the thoracic duct and femoral veins. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, lymph pressure and lymph flow were measured under various conditions. Electrical stimulation of left sciatic nerve, stepwise increase of central venous pressure, manual application of rhythmical depressions onto abdomen, injection of hypertonic saline solution and histamine infusion were employed. Measurement of cental venous pressure was performed through the recording catheter inserted into abdominal inferior vena cava. Changes in central venous pressure were made by an air-ballooning catheter located higher than the tip of the recording catheter in the inferior vena cava. Lymph flow from thoracic duct was measured directly with a graduated centrifuge tube allowing the lymph to flow freely outward through the inserted cannula. The average side pressure of thoracic lymph was $1.1\;cmH_2O$ and lymph flow was 0.40 ml/min or 1.9 ml/kg-hr. Hemodynamic parameters including lymph flow were measure immediately before and after (or during) applying a condition. Stimulation of left sciatic nerve with a square wave (5/sec, 2 msec, 10V) caused the lymph flow to increase 1.4 times. The pattern of lymph flow from thoracic duct was not continuous throughout the respiratory cycle, but was continuous only during Inspiration. Slow and deep respiration appeared to increase the lymph flow than a rapid and shallow respiration. Relationship between central venous pressure and the lymph flow revealed a relatively direct proportionality; Regression equation was Lymph Flow (ml/kg-hr)=0.09 CVP$(cmH_2O)$+0.55, r=0.67. Manual depressions onto the abdomen in accordance with the respiratory cycle caused the lymph flow to increase most remarkably, e.g,. 5.5 times. The application of manual depressions showed a fluctuation of central venous pressure superimposed on the respiratory fluctuation. Hypertonic saline solution (2% NaCl) administered Intravenously by the amount of 10 m1/kg increased the lymph flow 4.6 times. The injection also increased arterial blood pressure, especially systolic Pressure, and the central venous pressure. Slow intravenous infusion of histamine with a rate of 14-32 ${\mu}g/min$ resulted in a remarkable increase in the lymph flow (4.7 times), in spite of much decrease in the blood pressure and a slight decrease in the central venous pressure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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• 1995.05c
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• pp.21-21
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• 1995

Absorption of fat-soluble vi tamin, retinol occurs mainly in the proximal part of small intestine. But its intestinal transport mechanism isn't yet clear. The aim of the present study was to investigate on the mechanism of absorption of retinol by determining a concentration-dependent kinetic of retinol absorption in rats. The study was carried out by applying in vivo technique in which vitamin solution was infused to intestinal lumen and at the same time thoracic duct and choledochus duct were canulated to collect samples. The investigations showed that retinol is absorbed in the small intestine by a saturable, carrier-mediated transport system, i.e. wi thout signi ficant differences between the proximal and distal halves of the small intestine. The transport of retinol taken up by the enterocytes occured via different mechanisms: while the main vitamin A transport via the thoracic duct was saturated by limiting transport factors such as retinol-CRBP-II-complex formation and retinol esterification with increasing substrate concentrations, the transport of retinol metabolite product via the portal vein was proportional to the substrate concentration.ration.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.290-293
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• 2018

Signalment: A dog which had been hit by car a month prior and had been experiencing recurrent pleural chyle effusion was referred to Chung-buk National University Animal Medical Center. The clinical signs included tachypnea and salivation. Results: Ultrasound-guided popliteal lymphography was performed. The computed tomography imaging revealed that the thoracic duct was ruptured and the lymph was leaking into the cranial mediastinal region. After this discovery, thoracic duct ligation was performed. The ultrasound-guided popliteal lymphography was repeated after the surgery. The second computed tomography imaging revealed that the thoracic duct rupture was resolved. Clinical relevance: We identified the etiology of chylothorax through the computed tomographic lymphography and imaged specific leakage areas. After surgery, the computed tomography imgaing confirmed the lymphatic flow modification and the treatment was successful.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.953-956
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• 1994

This is a case report of superior vena cava syndrome due to thyroglossal duct cyst, which was surgically treated. The patient was 61 year old male who progressively complained exertional dyspnea for about 5 months and right ptosis, facial flushing, and nasal stuffiness for about 1 month before admission. The CT scan of the thorax revealed the right paratracheal cystic mass that compressed and displaced the trachea to leftward and SVC to rightward. The resection of the cystic mass was performed through the right posterolateral thoracotomy. The pathologic result was compatible with thyroglossal duct cyst. The postoperative status of the patient was uneventful.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.731-738
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• 1989

The development of chylothorax and chylopericardium are serious and often life-threatening clinical entity. The ideal treatment of these problems is not well established to date. We reviewed our experiences with chylothorax or chylopericardium in 16 patients [17 cases] from July 1979 to May 1989. Ages ranged from 20 days to 41 years. The etiologies were traumatic in 10, congenital or idiopathic in 5, and tuberculous lymphadenopathy in one. In 8 patients, the chylothorax or chylopericardium occurred as a complication of cardiothoracic surgery. Eleven patients were treated nonoperatively with either repeated thoracenteses or chest tube drainage. Five patients underwent operative treatment: transthoracic thoracic duct ligation [three patients], thoracic duct ligation combined with decortication [one], and oversewn the defect of mediastinal pleura[one]. Duration of preoperative therapy ranged from 18 to 38 days. One of eleven [9.1 %] patients treated nonoperatively died. Of the surgically treated group, there were no deaths. All patients except one dead cured or improved either treated nonoperatively or operatively. Our experience suggests that surgical management of the chylothorax or chylopericardium is not always required, and each patient must be judged individually according to disease process.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.107-110
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• 2019

Bilateral chylothorax due to blunt trauma is extremely rare. We report a 74-year-old patient that developed delayed bilateral chylothorax after falling off a ladder. The patient had a simple 12th rib fracture and T12 lamina fracture. All other findings seemed normal. He was sent home and on the 5th day visited our emergency center at Halla Hospital with symptoms of dyspnea and lower back pain. Computer tomography of his chest presented massive fluid collection in his right pleural cavity and moderate amounts in his left pleural cavity with 12th rib fracture and T11-12 intervertebral space widening with bilateral facet fractures. Chest tubes were placed bilaterally and chylothorax through both chest tubes was discovered. Conservative treatment for 2 weeks failed, and thus, thoracic duct ligation was done by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Thoracic duct embolization was not an option. Postoperatively, the patient is now doing well and happy with the results. Early surgical treatment must be considered in the old patient, whom large amounts of chylothorax are present.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.68-71
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• 2004

Thymic cysts are uncommon tumors which usually occur in the neck and mediastinum. It is known to arise from embryonic remnants of the thymopharyngeal duct or from inflammation of thymic tissues. Patients with thymic cyst are often asymptomatic and identified after surgical removal and histologic examination. We experienced a 73 year-old man with recently developed dyspnea. During the examination, chest CT showed a $5\times6cm$ sized cystic mass causing deviation of the trachea. It was located in between the right thyroid gland and anterior mediastinum. It also caused tracheal narrowing noted by bronchoscopy. Right anterior cervical incision and removal of the mass was performed and a histological diagnosis of thymic cyst was confirmed. The patient was discharged without complication.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.25-27
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• 2005

Thymic cysts are uncommon tumors which usually occur in the neck and mediastinum. It is known to arise from embryonic remnants of the thymopharyngeal duct or from infammation of thymic tissues. Patients with thymic cyst are often asymptomatic and identified after surgical removal and histologic examination. We experienced a 73 year-old man with recently developed dyspnea. During the examination, chest CT showed a $5{\times}6cm$ sized cystic mass causing deviation of the trachea. It was located in between the right thyroid gland and anterior mediastinum. It also caused tracheal narrowing noted by bronchoscopy. Right anterior cervical incision and removal of the mass was performed and a histological diagnosis of thymic cyst was confirmed. The patient was discharged without complication.