Chylothorax as a complication of oesophageal sclerotherapy

Chylothorax is an unusual complication of sclerotherapy for oesophageal varices. A patient is described in whom a massive chylous effusion followed sclerotherapy with repeated injections of 1.5% sodium tetradecyl sulphate. The thoracic duct traverses the posterior mediastinum in close proximity to the oesophagus, and may be disrupted by injections at mid oesophageal level.