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

Özet

The chyle duct (CD) lies close to the spine behind the right renal vein and vena cava. Forces capable of tearing theCD may also injure other adjacent structures or organs. Cases of isolated chylous injury are rarely reported in theliterature. 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 physicalexaminations, radiologic evaluations, paracentesis, and laboratory findings revealed isolated chylous injury resulting from intra- and retroperitoneal chylous fluid collection. The patient was treated via percutaneous drainageand medical therapy. This condition is generally self-limited and resolves without the necessity of any surgicalinterventions. However, if medical treatment is unsuccessful, the decision of diagnostic laparoscopy or exploratorylaparotomy becomes inevitable.