• David Laslett, Scott O Trerotola, and Maxim Itkin.
• Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 1 Silverstein, 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
• J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2012 Jan 1;23(1):76-9.

PurposeThoracic duct (TD) embolization (TDE) has become a universally accepted treatment of chylous pleural effusion. However, the long-term sequelae of occlusion of the TD are unknown. The objective of the present study was to determine the rate of delayed complications after technically successful TDE.Materials And MethodsA total of 169 patients underwent TDE for symptomatic chylous effusion between January 1, 1994, and June 11, 2010. In 106 of 169 cases (63%), TDE embolization was technically successful. Retrospective review of these charts was performed, and patients were interviewed to determine the development of lower-extremity edema, diarrhea, abdominal swelling, and other symptoms.ResultsFollow-up information was available in 78 of 106 patients (73.6%). Mean length of follow-up was 34 months. During follow-up, 32 patients (41%) died of causes unrelated to TDE, and 46 (59%) were alive at the end of follow-up. The families of three deceased patients were available for interview. Four of 49 patients (8%) had chronic leg swelling that was probably related to the procedure, three (6%) had abdominal swelling, and six (12%) had chronic diarrhea. In four of these six cases, diarrhea was considered "probably related" to the procedure. Overall, a 14.3% rate of probably-related long-term complications after TDE was recorded.ConclusionsChronic diarrhea and lower-extremity swelling may be related to TDE and should be part of informed consent before the procedure. A prospective follow-up study is needed to further establish these relationships.Copyright © 2012 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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