[Chylothorax as a complication of sarcoidosis]

This case report features a male patient of 45 years of age presenting with a right sided moderately compressive pleural effusion, that was clearly identified as chylothorax on thoracocentesis. Sarcoidosis with systemic involvement had already been diagnosed in 1995 by a parotid gland biopsy. Thoracoscopy revealed multiple discrete nodules parietally besides a number of more extensive yellowish lesions resembling malignant lymphoma. However visualization of a thoracic duct leakage was not possible. Histologically the biopsies taken represented exclusively non-caseating sarcoidosistype granulomas. Complete and permanent remission of the chylothorax was achieved within only ten days following talcum pleurodesis, alimentary measures and induction of systemic steroid therapy. The etiological classification of this extremely rare complication appears very clear. Pathogenetic and differential therapeutic aspects are discussed against the background of a review of the literature.