[Chylothorax: causes, diagnosis, therapy]

The ductus thoracicus acts as the main vessel of the lymphatic system that flows into the venous system. It has the function of transporting lipis resorbed from the intestinal tract. Diseases of the thoracic duct are very rare and mostly result of injuries, tumors or as in most cases secondary infections. The main symptom in these cases is the presence of chylus outside of the ductus thoracicus, mainly in the thoracal spaces. Depending on the cause chylothorax is defined as traumatic, symptomatic or idiopathic. Therapy consists in drainage or ligature of the ductus thoracicus. The prognosis is good unless the cause is a malignant tumor resp. depends on the disease which is the cause of the chylothorax.