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Case Reports
. 2019 Dec 30;12(12):e232563.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-232563.

Chylothorax as a complication of extensive spontaneous left arm DVT

Ahmed Gohar  1 , Fady Jamous  2   3 , Natasha Meyer  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Chylothorax as a complication of extensive spontaneous left arm DVT

Ahmed Gohar et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

We present a case of right sided chylothorax in the setting of cirrhosis believed to be secondary to extensive venous thromboembolism of the left upper extremity and exacerbated by chylous ascites. Our patient responded to conservative management with anticoagulation and a repeat thoracentesis revealed transformation of the fluid back to straw coloured transudate. We also include a brief discussion of the diagnosis and management of chylothorax.

Keywords: cirrhosis; respiratory medicine; venous thromboembolism.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Contrast enhanced CT of the chest with coronal view (left) showing right side pleural effusion and thrombosis of the left brachiocephalic vein (red asterisk). Axial view (right) shows thrombosis of the left subclavian vein (orange asterisk).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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