Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the left distal thoracic duct (DTD) in the lower neck area by using contrast-enhanced
chest computed tomography (CT) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).
Methods
In 156 consecutive subjects who performed the contrast-enhanced chest CT, examinations
were retrospectively reviewed. The diameters of the left DTD were measured by using
CT. Depending on the diameter of the left DTD, the left DTD configurations were classified
into four grades: grade 0 (no identification of DTD), grade I (diameter <5 mm), grade II (diameters ≥5 mm and <10 mm), and grade III (diameter ≥10 mm). Depending on the liver status, all 156 subjects were divided into three groups:
(a) noncirrhotic liver group (n=55), (b) compensated LC group (n=88), and (c) decompensated LC group (n=13).
Results
Among the 156 left DTD configurations, 81 (52%), 60 (39%), 10 (6%), and only 4 (3%)
were assigned to the grade 0, I, II, and III, respectively. The noncirrhotic liver
group included 45 (82%) grade 0 and 10 (18%) grade I subjects. The compensated LC
group included 37 (42%) grade 0, 50 (57%) grade I, and 1 (1%) grade II subjects. In
contrast, the decompensated LC group included 9 (69%) grade II and 4 (31%) grade III
subjects.
Conclusion
When reviewed the contrast-enhanced chest CT, the left DTD can be identified more
frequently in subjects with LC than in those with noncirrhotic liver. Furthermore,
the degree of left DTD dilation may be associated with the severity of LC.
Abbreviations:
DTD (distal thoracic duct), CT (computed tomography), LC (liver cirrhosis)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 15, 2016
Accepted:
January 12,
2016
Received in revised form:
November 28,
2015
Received:
August 10,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
