Isolated chylous injury due to blunt abdominal trauma: Report of a case and a review of the literature

Abstract

The chyle duct (CD) lies close to the spine behind the right renal vein and vena cava. Forces capable of tearing the CD may also injure other adjacent structures or organs. Cases of isolated chylous injury are rarely reported in the literature. Our aim was to report a case of isolated chylous injury due to blunt abdominal trauma that was successfully treated non-operatively. A 54-year-old man was involved in a deceleration-type traffic accident. His physical examinations, radiologic evaluations, paracentesis, and laboratory findings revealed isolated chylous injury resulting from intra-and retroperitoneal chylous fluid collection. The patient was treated via percutaneous drainage and medical therapy. This condition is generally self-limited and resolves without the necessity of any surgical interventions. However, if medical treatment is unsuccessful, the decision of diagnostic laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy becomes inevitable.