A case report on chylothorax post penetrating chest trauma

Chylothorax is a rare condition secondary to a chyle leak from the thoracic duct. The most common cause is after thoracic and cardiac surgery. Other causes include malignancy, non-iatrogenic trauma, and miscellaneous disorder - tuberculosis, filariasis and idiopathic conditions. The incidence of chylothorax post non-iatrogenic trauma is low; however, it does occur. Therefore, clinicians managing trauma patients should be aware of chylothorax as a differential and understand how it can be managed.

Our patient presented in respiratory distress 5 days after sustaining a stab to the chest. His chest X-ray showed a massive left pleural effusion with mediastinal shift. An Intercostal drain (ICD) was inserted and, drained 2 l of a white milky fluid - confirmed to be chyle on biochemistry. Other potential differentials like empyema and a pseudochylothorax, were excluded. He was kept nil-per os, received total parenteral nutrition and the ICD output was monitored. Subsequently the drainage decreased and eventually cleared, and the ICD was removed on day 8 of admission. Chest X-rays showed resolution of the effusion, and the patient was discharged.

Patients with trauma can present with chylothorax after penetrating or blunt trauma. The diagnosis can be made by checking the fluid triglyceride level or the presence of chylomicrons. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the clinician should decide on either conservative or surgical. Due to the condition's rarity, there are no randomized control trials comparing different treatment modalities.

Despite the patient's delayed presentation, he was successfully managed conservatively.