Scintigraphic localization of lymphatic leakage site after oral administration of iodine-123-IPPA

Chylothorax can occur secondary to traumatic lesions of the thoracic duct c aused by chest injuries, surgical procedures involving the pleural space, n eoplasms or malformations of the lymphatics. Methods: Lymphatic leakage sit es were localized by scintigraphy after oral administration of the I-123-la beled long-chain fatty acid derivative iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid (IPPA) . We report on three patients with different lymphatic leakage sites and on one normal control subject. Results: IPPA scintigraphy localized the lymph atic leakage site correctly in all three patients. In two of them, the meth od even guided the successful surgical treatment of the leakage. Conclusion : This approach is suitable for detecting lymphatic leakages of intestinal origin.