Nontraumatic chylothorax secondary to lymphoma and filariasis

Abstract

Chylothorax is characterized by extravasation of chyle into the pleural space resulting from thoracic duct damage. The effusion is most commonly unilateral, with the right and left side being affected in 50% and 33.3% of the patients, respectively. Only 16.66% of cases present a bilateral effusion. The underlying etiology can be classified as spontaneous or traumatic. The diagnosis is made through pleural fluid analysis and imaging studies. The following article presents two cases of left spontaneous chylothorax: a 26-year-old male presenting with a chylous pleural effusion due to a non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a 47-year-old patient from a tropical area with a chylous pleural effusion attributed to filariasis. Filariasis as a cause of chylothorax is uncommon and there is not much literature on the topic. Alongside the case presentations, information on chylothorax etiology, mechanism, diagnosis and treatment options is provided.

Figure 1

CT scan axial view of anterior mediastinal mass, left lung free pleural effusion and intercostal drainage.

Figure 2

CT scan axial view of a pericardial and left lung pleural effusion.

Figure 3

Chest radiography AP view of left pleural effusion.

Figure 4

CT scan axial view of left pleural effusion, cardiomegaly and pericardial effusion.