About the Center for Lymphatic Disorders
The Jill and Mark Fishman Center for Lymphatic Disorders at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides highly specialized care for children and adults with lymphatic leaks and lymphatic flow disorders.
The blue arrows indicate the normal lymphatic flow.
These chronic and often debilitating conditions, including chylothorax, chylous ascites and plastic bronchitis, can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Experts in the Center are developing advanced imaging and interventional technologies such as dynamic contrast MR lymphangiography (DCMRL) to map out the anatomy and flow of the lymphatic system. This allows our team to more accurately identify and manage these conditions using a variety of minimally invasive treatment options.
The Jill and Mark Fishman Center for Lymphatic Disorders is the first Center of its kind to manage these often undiagnosed and difficult to treat conditions.
“by the time we left, i knew our daughter was going to get better. a huge weight was lifted off of us. they saved her life. i felt like the entire floor was there for our daughter. the nurses, all of the people she met, were very sensitive, very caring.”
What to expect
Patients referred to The Jill and Mark Fishman Center for Lymphatic Disorders will undergo an initial consultation to evaluate their condition and determine next steps.
The first step in confirming a suspected lymphatic leak or flow disorder is typically diagnostic imaging with MRI, including dynamic contrast MR lymphangiography. This enhanced imaging technique provides a clearer image than conventional MRI. It also enables the team to map each patient’s lymphatic system and pinpoint where the leak or point of congestion is occurring.
Analyzing the pictures in real-time allows our team to develop a treatment plan that best meets the needs of each patient’s unique condition. Our doctors are often able to perform corrective procedures immediately after the diagnostic imaging is completed. Using thoracic duct embolization or selective lymphatic embolization, our team will administer an agent to block the leaking ducts.
Following discharge, regular check-ups will be scheduled to ensure that the leak has resolved.
