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Is bilateral chylothorax possible after simple cough? Yes
Fatih Candas1, Akin Yildizhan2, Rauf Gorur2
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, GATA Haydarpasa Teaching Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey fhcandas@yahoo.com.
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals
|June 15, 2014
Summary
Chylothorax, the accumulation of chylous fluid in the pleural space, can occur spontaneously. This case highlights a rare instance of bilateral chylothorax following a simple cough in an adult woman.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Chylothorax involves chylous fluid accumulation in the pleural space, often due to thoracic duct impairment.
- Pediatric chylothorax causes differ from adults, with less frequent malignancies and higher trauma resistance in children.
- Common causes in adults include tumoral invasion and cardiopulmonary surgery.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old woman presented with bilateral chylothorax.
- The condition developed suddenly after a simple cough, an unusual trigger.
- This presentation is atypical for adult chylothorax, which typically has more apparent underlying causes.
Findings:
- The patient's bilateral chylothorax was successfully managed with conservative treatment.
- Treatment included a medium-chain triglyceride diet to reduce chyle production.
- Thoracentesis was employed to drain the accumulated pleural fluid.
Implications:
- This case suggests that spontaneous chylothorax can occur in adults without significant preceding trauma or known underlying disease.
- Conservative management, including dietary changes and fluid drainage, can be effective for certain cases of adult chylothorax.
- Further investigation into the mechanisms of spontaneous chylothorax, even in adults, may be warranted.
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