HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pinto, P. S. Articles by Mattrey, R. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pinto, P. S. Articles by Mattrey, R. F. Related Collections Vascular and/or Interventional Radiology

Cisterna Chyli at Routine Abdominal MR Imaging: A Normal Anatomic Structure in the Retrocrural Space¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, UCSD Medical Center, 200 W Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103-8756 (P.S.P., C.B.S., O.A.A.B., M.A.B., R.F.M.); and Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif (R.E.M.). Recipient of a Certificate of Merit award for an education exhibit at the 2002 RSNA scientific assembly. Received March 31, 2003; revision requested May 12 and received June 30; accepted July 1. Address correspondence to C.B.S. (e-mail: csirlin@ucsd.edu).

The cisterna chyli, a dilated lymphatic sac in the retrocrural space, represents the origin of the thoracic duct. It is seen in approximately half of lymphangiographic studies and 20% of autopsies. Highly fluid-sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences such as single-shot rapid acquisition with refocused echoes, which are currently used in many abdominal MR imaging protocols, frequently result in the depiction of this structure. The cisterna chyli was evident on abdominal MR images acquired in 30 (15%) of 200 consecutive patients who underwent MR imaging at the authors’ institution between February and June 2002. Its appearance varied from that of a thick tube to that of a thin tube, parallel or converging tubes, tortuous tubes, a sausage-shaped fluid collection, a focal collection, or a focal plexus. Radiologists who perform MR imaging should be familiar with the various possible appearances of this normal anatomic structure so as not to mistake it for a pathologic entity.

© RSNA, 2004

Index Terms: Abdomen, anatomy • Abdomen, CT, 995.12913 • Cisterna chyli, 995.92 • Lymphatic system, MR, 995.129419, 995.12943 • Magnetic resonance (MR), half-Fourier imaging, 995.129419 • Retroperitoneal space, 995.92

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Arrive, L. Azizi, M. Lewin, C. Hoeffel, L. Monnier-Cholley, C. Lacombe, and J. M. Tubiana MR Lymphography of Abdominal and Retroperitoneal Lymphatic Vessels Am. J. Roentgenol., November 1, 2007; 189(5): 1051 - 1058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. K. Verma, D. G. Mitchell, D. Bergin, R. Mehta, S. Chopra, and D. Choi The Cisterna Chyli: Enhancement on Delayed Phase MR Images after Intravenous Administration of Gadolinium Chelate Radiology, September 1, 2007; 244(3): 791 - 796. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]