Cisterna chyli at routine abdominal MR imaging: a normal anatomic structure in the retrocrural space.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Single-center cross-sectional observational series evaluating imaging prevalence and morphology
PubMed 15143230 · doi:10.1148/rg.243035086
What was done
The authors evaluated routine abdominal MR images (specifically utilizing fluid-sensitive sequences like single-shot rapid acquisition with refocused echoes) from 200 consecutive patients scanned between February and June 2002 at a single institution to determine the detection rate and morphological characteristics of the cisterna chyli in the retrocrural space.
What was found
The cisterna chyli was visualized in 30 of 200 patients (15%). Its morphological appearance varied, presenting as thick tubes, thin tubes, parallel or converging tubes, tortuous tubes, sausage-shaped fluid collections, focal collections, or focal plexuses.
Why it matters
Because fluid-sensitive abdominal MR sequences frequently reveal the cisterna chyli, understanding its prevalence (15%) and varied normal morphological configurations helps prevent misidentification as retrocrural or retroperitoneal pathology.
Limits
The study was conducted at a single institution over a brief period with a moderate sample size (n = 200). The abstract lacks details on patient clinical characteristics, scan indications, image reader expertise or inter-reader agreement, and correlation with clinical follow-up.
Cited by
- supports The cisterna chyli is an abdominal lymphatic structure that acts as a reservoir draining lymph before returning it to the blood supply.