Pelvic lymphocele following motor vehicle collision

The development of lymphocele has been described in the mediastinum following thoracic duct injury from blunt trauma or surgery, in lower extremity surgery or trauma, and in the pelvis following renal transplant or staging lymphadenectomy. We describe a case of pelvic lymphocele following blunt trauma from a motor vehicle collision in which the patient did not sustain any fractures. The patient subsequently experienced right lower extremity pain and swelling thought to result from a deep venous thrombosis. Venogram demonstrated external compression of the right iliac vein, and computed tomography revealed a pelvic fluid collection. The patient underwent successful pigtail catheter placement under ultrasound guidance, and his symptoms resolved completely following 4 weeks of external drainage. A brief review of the diagnosis and management of lymphocele follows.