Recalcitrant chylothorax and chylous ascites associated with hypothyroidism

A patient with bilateral chylous effusions and chylous ascites resulting from mediastinal and periaortic radiation for Hodgkin's lymphoma is described. The chylothoraces were resistant to medical treatment as well as to surgical pleurectomy. The patient's medical condition worsened due to progression of the chylous effusions and an episode of catheter-related bacteremia complicated by respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. While receiving mechanical ventilation, the patient was found to have hypothyroidism and was subsequently begun on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Within 1 week, the chylous drainage from the pleural spaces dramatically decreased and eventually resolved. Eighteen months after beginning thyroid hormone replacement therapy, the patient continues to do well without recurrence of the chylous effusions.