[Diagnosis and treatment of chylopericardium (author's transl)]

In a 22-year-old patient without clinical symptoms, a chylous pericardial effusion was found as cause of pericardial enlargement persisting over 7 years. Ultrasonic echocardiography, diagnostic pericardial puncture and the demonstration of chylomicrons enabled the diagnosis to be made. Lymphography showed lymphangiectasis of the thoracic duct. At operation two fistulous connections between pericardium and lymphatic system were found. Surgical ligature of the thoracic duct and the lymphatic fistulae and pericardial fenestration resulted in rapid normalisation of all findings.