Tension Chylothorax: A Rare Life Threatening Entity After Pneumonectomy

Chylothorax is an accumulation of chyle in the pleural space due to disruption or blockage of the thoracic duct or its lymphatic tributaries. The thoracic duct carries chyle, which is defined as lymphatic fluid of intestinal origin, to the bloodstream. Chylothorax can occur due to traumatic or non-t...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Heart, lung & circulation lung & circulation, 2009-02, Vol.18 (1), p.55-56
Main Authors: Kanjanauthai, Somsupha, MD, Kanluen, Tony, MD, Bergman, Michael, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cardiovascular
Chyle
Chylothorax
Chylothorax - diagnosis
Chylothorax - etiology
Chylothorax - therapy
Female
Humans
Lung Neoplasms - surgery
Middle Aged
Pneumonectomy
Pneumonectomy - adverse effects
Remission Induction
Tension chylothorax
Time Factors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Chylothorax is an accumulation of chyle in the pleural space due to disruption or blockage of the thoracic duct or its lymphatic tributaries. The thoracic duct carries chyle, which is defined as lymphatic fluid of intestinal origin, to the bloodstream. Chylothorax can occur due to traumatic or non-traumatic a etiologies. Chylothorax is a known complication of thoracic surgery and can occur after significant trauma. However, tension chylothorax is an extremely rare and life threatening complication after thoracic surgery. We describe a patient who developed tension chylothorax 2 weeks after a left pneumonectomy was performed. Early recognition and prompt treatment of this life threatening entity are essential.
ISSN:1443-9506
1444-2892
DOI:10.1016/j.hlc.2007.10.001