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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
An unusual case of pseudochylothorax
M Padma Priya1, S Dharmic1, Aparajeet Kar1
1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Bharath University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract:
A 25-year-old male patient presented with right-sided pleuritic chest pain and pain in the ankle. Radiological investigations revealed a right sided pleural effusion, lytic lesion in spine D10 with paravertebral abscess. Pleural fluid analysis showed elevated lactate dehydrogenase, adenosine deaminase, increased triglycerides, cholesterol, and no chylomicrons. Hence, a diagnosis of pseudochylothorax secondary to tuberculosis was made. Pleural fluid was drained by tube thoracostomy, decortication was done to improve the lung function and patient was started on anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT). Patient improved with ATT. Pseudochylous effusion or chyliform effusions are uncommon. <200 cases has been reported in the international literature. The possibility of tuberculosis has to be considered in diagnosis and treatment of such cases. Here, we present a case of tuberculous pseudochylous effusion.
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