Transudative chylothorax in a patient with liver cirrhosis: A rare association

Abstract

Chylothorax is an unusual type of pleural effusion which results from the accumulation of chyle in the pleural cavity. High triglyceride content and presence of chylomicrons in the chyle give this fluid a characteristic milky appearance. Chylothorax most commonly results from the obstruction of the thoracic duct by a malignant lesion or from its traumatic disruption. Liver cirrhosis is an uncommon and frequently underappreciated cause of chylothorax. Pleural effusion in chylothorax is typically described as a lymphocytic predominant, exudative type and it is exceedingly rare to encounter a transudative type of chylothorax. To date, very few cases of transudative chylothoraces have been described in the literature, most commonly in association with liver cirrhosis. Only a limited range of other clinical settings have been linked to transudative chylothorax and timely recognition of these associations can prevent unnecessary, expensive and sometimes invasive workup in this patient population.