Abstract

Blunt trauma is the leading cause of death of children and adolescents in the United States. Potentially life-threatening injuries from blunt trauma to the chest must be identified and treated immediately. Clinician familiarity with the range of possible injuries assists in timely diagnosis and therapy. Chylothorax from injury to the thoracic duct is a rare consequence of blunt chest trauma. Tension chylothorax is exceptionally rare. We present a case of a 22-month old boy found to have a traumatic tension chylothorax during initial evaluation in the resuscitation bay after transfer from another facility. There have been no previous reports of a pediatric tension chylothorax after blunt trauma. Management consisted of drainage with tube thoracostomy, parenteral nutrition, and octreotide until the chyle leak resolved. Surgical ligation of the thoracic duct was not required.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.