TITLE:
An Extraordinary Case of Idiopathic Chylothorax in a Rural Setting
AUTHORS:
Kevin Chow Kuan Yee, Ong Tze Hern, Ng Zxai Ching, Naganathan Pillai, Adelyn Henry, Lee Tiong Chan
KEYWORDS:
Chylothorax, Pleural Effusion, Lymphangiogram, Rural Setting
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.5 No.10,
October
30,
2018
ABSTRACT: Chylothorax is a rare cause of pleural effusion, which can be divided into traumatic and non-traumatic causes. Often, the cause of a non-traumatic chylothorax is challenging. We report a young gentleman with idiopathic chylothorax who was diagnosed in a rural hospital with limited resources. This was confirmed on clinical presentation, pleural fluid analysis, CECT imaging and a diagnostic lymphangiogram. Contrast enhanced imaging did not reveal any secondary pathology. The chylothorax was subsequently drained and he was referred to a tertiary centre for definitive treatment. Managing chylothorax can be challenging in a rural setting due to the lack of relevant expertise and facilities. A timely diagnosis and treatment of chylothorax would require appropriate investigations to elucidate any underlying pathology and the lymphangiogram as a useful tool in diagnosis.