2009 Volume 23 Issue 5 Pages 772-776
A 15-year-old male, with a past history of splenic hemangioma treated with radiotherapy in his infancy, was diagnosed with idiopathic left chylothorax. Ligation of the thoracic duct at the level of Th7 was not effective, and he was admitted to our hospital. Ligation at the level of the diaphragm resulted in bilateral pleural effusion and ascites. Based on his past history, lymphangiography showing multiple points of leakage from the diaphragm and intraoperative findings of lymph proliferation along the mediastinal pleura, delayed chylothorax due to irradiation was diagnosed. Octreotide was administered for 30 days. Pleural effusions and ascites gradually decreased, and meals were started without reappearance.