Unilateral pedal lymphangiography plus computed tomography angiography for location of persistent idiopathic chyle leakage not detectable by ordinary contrast computed tomography

Chyluria is the passage of chyle in the urine caused by the rupture of retroperitoneal lymphatics with leakage into the pyelocaliceal system, giving urine a milky appearance. The etiologies include thoracic duct stenosis, tuberculosis, cancer, trauma, pregnancy, filariasis, or the cause may not be clear. The result is dilatation of distal lymphatics and the eventual rupture of lymphatic vessels into the urinary collecting system [1, 2]. Although rare, severe fluid and protein loss may cause hypovolemia and hypoproteinemia in some patients. Cystoscopy, lymphangiography (LPG), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lymphoscintigraphy are used to diagnose and locate the origin of chyluria [2‐4]. Combining LPG with post-LPG CT imaging may increase the ability to locate chyle leaks [2, 5, 6]., MRI is contraindicated in patients with implanted metal devices. Some patients fail conservative management because their chyle leaks are not visualized by routine contrast CT, and require additional evaluation of the lymphatic system before treatment can be started. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of unilateral LPG with post-LPG CT angiography (CTA) in chyluria patients who failed to conservative management with chyle leaks undetectable by ordinary contrast CT.

LPG and post-LPG CTA succeeded in delineating the thoracic ducts and confirming the absence of obvious obstructions. Ten of the 18 patients had lympho-urinary fistulas on the left side, seven were on the right side, nine of which were consistent with the cystoscopy results. The remaining patient was diagnosed with unilateral chyluria by cystoscopy, LPG found bilateral lesions. LPG plus CTA was more successful than cystoscopy in locating the side of chyle leaks (100% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.005, Table 1). When combined with post-LPG CTA, VR displayed the lymphatic reticular distribution in the kidney and renal fascia. In nine patients, VR and MIP revealed retroperitoneal lymphatic distortion, with reflux of lymphangiography contrast into the region of the contralateral iliac artery as well as showing the lymphatics adjacent to the renal arteries and veins (Fig. 1). LPG CTA provided detailed imaging information in all 18 patients. LPG alone provided imaging of equivalent value in only 13 patients. Accuracy of chyle leak location was better with LPG CTA than with LPG alone (100% vs. 72.2%, P = 0.016; Table 2). The results obtained with LPG CTA were sufficient to allow performing renal lymphatic stripping and ligation in all patients. Chyluria resolved immediately after surgery in 17 unilateral chyle leakage patients, with negative urine chyle tests. The remaining patient with bilateral lympho-urinary fistulas received renal lymphatic stripping on right side, which was the more severe side. His milky urine disappeared within 7 days after surgery, and a urine chyle test was negative. No recurrences were observed over a median follow-up 31 (range 8–52) months after surgery.

Chyluria can be confirmed by a urine chyle test. About 80% of patients respond to conservative management with a low-fat, high-protein diet or intraperitoneal injection of sclerotherapy such as silver nitrate, povidone iodine or dextrose, about 22% relapse within 2 years [7, 8]. Surgical intervention is needed for patients with severe chyluria patients who fail to respond to conservative management or have short-term relapses. Successful surgery requires clear identification and accurate location of the site of chyle leakage, especially the relationship between lymphatic vessels and the renal collection system or vascular system.

Imaging studies in patients with severe chyluria generally include cystoscopy and LPG. LPG is more successful than cystoscopy in detecting bilateral lymphatic renal pelvis fistulas than cystoscopy [2]. The appearance of LPG images in these chyluria patients was wire-like, with semicircular or coralline-shaped shadows that were primarily distributed in the renal pelvis and parenchyma (Fig. 2a). The renal hilus was distorted and dilated, lumbar or iliac lymph vessels could be seen, and obviously dilated truncus lumbalis lymph vessels were occasionally observed. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT or MRI may be useful in the location of lymphatic ducts and chyle leakage sites [9‐11], but LPG remains the most widely used method [12]. Evaluation of abdominal and retroperitoneal lymphatic abnormalities, including lymphatic leaks, using MRI lymphography with heavily T2-weighted fast spin echo sequences [10]. Nonenhanced MRI lymphangiography is a safe and effective method for imaging the central lymphatic system, and can contribute to differential diagnosis and appropriate preoperative evaluation of chylothorax or lymphangioma [13]. However there been few reports have described its use in chyluria patients [14].

We previously reported the successful use of LPG in diagnosing chyluria and LPG followed by a CT scan to directly show fistulae between the perinephric collection and lymphatic systems in either a plain scan or reconstructed image [2]. It is not clear whether a CT scan is of help after LPG. The CT increases the radiation exposure, and may not provide the information needed to perform the required surgery. It cannot show the details of the connections between lymphatic vessels and renal blood vessels, which may result in surgical failure because of incomplete ligation of all the lymphatic branches surrounding the renal arteries or veins. LPG combined with post-LPG CTA clearly show such structures and the relation of the lymphatic vessels and the renal collecting or vascular systems. In this study, the lymphatic lesions were well visualized by LPG with post-LPG CTA in all patients (Figs. 2 and 3), providing a reliable basis for renal pedicle lymphatic ligation and stripping.

Cystoscopy correctly found the side of the chyle leak in only about half the patients. LPG, the classic diagnostic tool [12], revealed not only the side of the lymphatic leaks, but also the approximate sites of reflux of contrast agent reflux into the renal collecting system (see Fig. 2a). However, LPG was unsatisfactory in some complicated cases, and it was difficult to obtain more information on the chyle leak in addition to the side of chyluria. LPG combined with post-LPG CTA clearly showed additional detail including the course of renal blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, the collection system, and their interlaced connections. The radiation exposure was more with LPG CTA than with LPG alone (Table 2), but in complicated cases in which CT or LPG alone were not satisfactory, LPG combined with post-LPG CTA provided precise location and clear imaging information, especially in cases not suitable for use of MRI. Despite its level of invasiveness, this method is a good option in the diagnosis of persistent chyluria requiring surgery. Fever and pain are the most frequent complications after LPG. Severe complications such as hemoptysis, wound infection, and embolism of blood vessels have been reported [12, 15, 16], but did not occur in this patient series.

The study was limited by a small number of patients because of the rarity of persistent idiopathic chyluria and by the absence of a randomized control group. A multicenter, randomized control study with large number of patients is necessary to further investigate the advantages of LPG with CTA in the accurate location of chyle leaks and the management of chyluria.

LPG combine with post-LPG CTA could provide precise location and clear imaging information for chyluria patients which cannot be detected by routine contrast CT or not suitable for MR examination. Despite of its mild invasiveness, this method could be better than LPG alone and be a good option in the diagnosis of persistent chyluria requiring surgery.