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Nontraumatic chylothorax secondary to lymphoma and filariasis

Sabrina Barillas1, Alejandra Rodas1, Javier Ardebol1

  • 1Medical Research, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|September 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Chylothorax, or chyle in the pleural space, can stem from thoracic duct damage. This article details two rare left spontaneous chylothorax cases, one linked to lymphoma and another to filariasis.

Area of Science:

  • Medicine
  • Pulmonology
  • Thoracic Surgery

Background:

  • Chylothorax involves chyle accumulation in the pleural space due to thoracic duct injury.
  • Effusions are typically unilateral (50% right, 33.3% left), with bilateral cases being rare (16.66%).
  • Etiologies include spontaneous and traumatic causes.

Observation:

  • This article presents two distinct cases of left spontaneous chylothorax.
  • Case 1: A 26-year-old male with chylous pleural effusion secondary to non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Case 2: A 47-year-old patient from a tropical region with chylous pleural effusion attributed to filariasis.

Findings:

  • Diagnosis relies on pleural fluid analysis and imaging studies.
  • Filariasis is an uncommon cause of chylothorax, with limited existing literature.
  • The study provides insights into the etiology, mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of chylothorax.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering diverse etiologies, including parasitic infections like filariasis, in chylothorax cases.
  • Underscores the need for comprehensive diagnostic workups for spontaneous chylothorax.
  • Contributes to the limited literature on filariasis-induced chylothorax, potentially guiding future research and clinical practice.

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