TRAUMATIC CHYLOTHORAX: CASE REPORT

Recep Demirhan, Ayhan Çevik, Hasan Fehmi Küçük, Mehmet Altıntaş, Necmi Kurt

Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Göğüs Cerrahisi Kliniği, İstanbul

Chylothorax is very rare clinical entity which develops by collection of lymphatic fluid in the pleural space and it may cause metabolic and immunologic disorders. The causes of chylothorax are thoracic trauma, inflammatory diseases and malign lymphatic obstruction. Traumatic chylothorax is a rare clinical entity but it can be diagnosed easily. It should be treated as soon as the diagnoses is certain. Surgical treatment could be postponed for 10 -14 days in order to see the diminution of drainage tube after the conservative therapy. On the other hand, delay in surgical treatment may cause serious complications. We discussed a case of chylothorax caused by blunt trauma after deceleration injury.

Keywords : Trauma, chylothorax, thoracic duct, total parenteral nutrition, pleura

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