Prediction of therapeutic effectiveness according to CT findings after therapeutic lymphangiography for lymphatic leakage.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between computed tomography (CT) findings after therapeutic lymphangiography for lymphatic leakage and the clinical course of lymphatic leakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Therapeutic lymphangiography for lymphatic leakage was performed in 14 patients. In all patients, CT was performed 0.5-26 h (mean 6.9 h) after lymphangiography and results were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: In 8 of the 14 patients (57 %), lymphatic leakage stopped after lymphangiography. Lymphatic leakage was detected on CT in 9 of the 14 patients (64 %) and had either a nodular (n = 4) or beaded appearance (n = 5). The amount of drainage had decreased the day after lymphangiography, and leakage finally stopped in all 4 patients in whom the leakage had a nodular appearance. However, leakage did not stop in 3 of the 5 patients having leakage with a beaded appearance. CONCLUSION: A nodular appearance of leakage might predict success of therapeutic lymphangiography.