Chylopneumothorax with an unusual cause in an Indian patient
Krishan B. Gupta, Vipul Kumar, Nitika Garg, Adarsha Shetty, Jyoti Yadav
Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis · 2021-10
Abstract
Chylothorax is an unusual cause of pleural effusion that is formed when chyle enters the pleural space owing to disruption of lymphatic duct. Tuberculosis, especially multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, is an uncommon cause of chylothorax. Here, we present a case of pleural effusion, which on thoracocentesis showed milky white fluid. The pleural fluid had triglyceride content of 75 mg/dl, and lipoprotein electrophoresis showed chylomicrons, confirming the diagnosis of chylothorax. Bacteriological examination of sputum yielded acid‐fast bacilli which were resistant to rifampicin by Gene-Xpert. The patient was started on appropriate drug-resistant antituberculosis regimen. She improved clinically and had complete resolution of chylothorax.
MeSH terms
- Chylothorax
- Medicine
- Chyle
- Thoracic duct
- Pleural effusion
- Tuberculosis
- Chylomicron
- Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Rifampicin
- Sputum
- Internal medicine
- Lymphatic system