CHRONIC PRIMARY CHYLOPERICARDIUM - REPORT OF A CASE WITH DIAGNOSTIC INTEREST AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

One case of chronic chylopericardium of a 10-year-old boy with chylosanguineous pericardial fluid was demonstrated. It has been proved that there exists the communication between thoracic duct and pericardial space by demonstrating the deposition of the contrast material into the pericardial sac on lymphangiogram, although it has not been ascertained yet by operative procedure. At the same time, an abnormal visualization of the lymphatic channels has been found in upper mediastinum which led us to suspect the lymphangioma. It is suggested that the oral loading of fat and the RIHSA infusion in pericardial space are useful methods for knowing the anastomotic connections of pericardial sac. In addition, review of the 9 cases of chylopericardium reported in English was presented. © 1969, The Japanese Circulation Society. All rights reserved.