[2 cases of chylothorax caused by catheterization of left large venous trunks]

The authors present two cases of almost certain catheterization of the thoracic duct, by infusion catheters placed in the large veins at the base of the neck (once in the left internal jugular, once in the left subclavian). Their clinical manifestaztions are the existence of a rapidly progressive pleural effusion, apart from the abnormal course of the catheter. Removal of the catheter is sufficient to lead to the disappearance of the symptomatology, so that it is difficult to speak of an accident as such, but rather of an incident. These incidents could be avoided by systematic radiography from the time that the catheter is placed in position or the positioning of the latter under control by brilliance amplifier.