Volume 6, Number 17;  August 14, 2006

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Session Handout:

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Fulltext Available in EBSCOHost Academic Search Premier

Fulltext Available in EBSCOHost Academic Search Premier

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Unique Identifier [PMID]: 16078038

Authors: Diaz-Guzman E. Culver DA. Stoller JK.

Institution: Department of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.

Title: Transudative chylothorax: report of two cases and review of the literature. [Review] [17 refs]

Source: Lung. 183(3):169-75, 2005 May-Jun.

Abstract: Transudative chylothorax is a rare entity that has been associated with a limited range of clinical settings. To date, transudative chylothoraces have been described in only 13 patients, most commonly as a result of hepatic cirrhosis. Recognition of the transudative nature of these effusions is important to avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing and inappropriate management strategies. This report describes the presentation, diagnosis and management of two patients with transudative chylothoraces, and provides a brief review of the relevant literature. [References: 17]

Publication Type: Case Reports. Journal Article. Review.

 Link Directly to Fulltext article in Ovid

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Unique Identifier [PMID]: 10912634

Authors: Romero S.

Institution: Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Spain. romero_san@gva.es

Title: Nontraumatic chylothorax. [Review] [49 refs]

Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 6(4):287-91, 2000 Jul.

Abstract: Nontraumatic chylothorax is an uncommon condition of thoracic or abdominal origin caused by multiple disorders, of which malignancy is by far the most frequent one. Because gross appearance of pleural fluid is frequently misleading, pleural fluid and serum lipid analysis is required for its diagnosis. In addition to the presence of chylomicrons, chylothoraces are usually characterized by all three of the following: (1) a triglyceride level of more than 110 mg/dL; (2) a ratio of pleural fluid to the serum triglyceride level of more than 1.0; and (3) a ratio of the pleural fluid to serum cholesterol level of less than 1.0. In patients with lymphoma-related chylothorax refractory to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, medical thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis has an acceptable complication rate and a 100% success rate in the prevention of recurrences. Pleuroperitoneal shunting is considered a safe and effective treatment in the management of persistent chylothorax in children in the absence of chylous ascites. [References: 49]

Publication Type: Journal Article. Review.

Resident Report / Department of Medicine & Grady Branch Library

Emory University School of Medicine

2006 Edition

Participating Faculty:  Carlos Del Rio MD  / Joyce Doyle MD / Lorenzo Difrancesco MD / Joel Mermis MD / Maunank Shah MD

Contact: Karl Woodworth