Open AccessChylous effusions
Author(s) -
Ilija Tomić,
Goran Plavec,
Vukojica Karlicic,
Vuleta Spasic,
Siniša Rusović,
Vojkan Stanić,
Vlado Cvijanović,
Aleksandar Ristanović
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
vojnosanitetski pregled
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.123
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 2406-0720
pISSN - 0042-8450
DOI - 10.2298/vsp0305613t
Subject(s) - medicine , chylothorax , pleurodesis , surgery , lymphedema , lymphatic system , pleural effusion , complication , effusion , chyle , etiology , pathology , cancer , breast cancer
This paper presents 4 patients with chylothorax, and one patient with bilateral chylothorax and chyloperitoneum. The chylous effusions were of benign etiology, developed as a complication of miliary tuberculosis (1 patient), after L-2 vertebral body fracture (1 patient), and idiopathic (2 patients). The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of chylomicrons and high content of triglycerides in the effusion, ranged 11.9-29.1 mmol/l. Lymphangiography showed multiple abnormalities of lymphatic system, the obstruction of ductus thoracicus, dilatation and convulsion of lymphatic channels, but the site of lymphatic leak was not detected. The treatment included an extended period of pleural and peritoneal drainage with total parenteral nutrition (1 patient), pleurodesis using Corynebacterium parvum (2 patients), and surgical partial parietal pleurectomy with continuous drainage (1 patient). The treatment was successful in all patients.