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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Seat belt-induced chylothorax: a cause of idiopathic chylothorax?
Vishal Agrawal1, Peter Doelken, Steven A Sahn
1Pulmonary and Critical Care, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas St, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. agrawav@musc.edu
Abstract:
Chylothoraces are associated with multiple etiologies including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and surgical trauma, representing 50% and 25% of all chylothoraces, respectively. Intrathoracic operations such as repair of coarctation of the aorta and esophagectomy are commonly associated with surgical trauma. Idiopathic chylothoraces may account for up to 15% of all chylothoraces. When a thorough evaluation finding is negative, further history to identify possible blunt, nonpenetrating trauma to the chest is warranted.
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