Bilateral traumatic chylothorax

We report the case of a 27-year-old man with bilateral chylothorax. The patient presented with shortness of breath and bilateral pleural effusions three days after a motor vehicle accident. The diagnosis was established when tube thoracostomy revealed chylous drainage. During hospitalization approximately 8 L of chyle were removed. Bilateral chylothorax secondary to blunt trauma has rarely been reported. The etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and recommended therapy are reviewed.