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Octreotide in the treatment of congenital chylothorax
Author(s) -
Rasiah SV,
Oei J,
Lui K
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2004.00471.x
Subject(s) - medicine , chylothorax , octreotide , surgery , lymphatic system , somatostatin , thoracic duct , conservative treatment , pathology
Congenital chylothorax is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space. Cases unresponsive to conservative management usually require surgery. Octreotide has been used successfully to treat post‐traumatic chylothoraces in the paediatric and adult population. Its exact mode of action is uncertain but it is believed to reduce lymphatic drainage by a direct action on splanchnic lymph flow. We report a case of congenital chylothorax where surgery was avoided with the compassionate trial of the somatostatin analogue, octreotide. Treatment was associated with prompt respiratory improvement prior to cessation of pleural drainage. Further studies are required to ascertain its true value in congenital chylothorax.