Chylothorax, the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, is usually caused by the disruption of the thoracic duct or its tributaries Chylothorax is a rare but serious condition in which lymph formed in the digestive system (chyle) accumulates in your chest cavity Etiologies are broadly divided into traumatic, including postsurgical, and nontraumatic, most commonly in the setting of malignancy
Chest tube care copy
The management of chylothorax largely depends on the cause and includes dietary modification and drainage of the pleural.
Decrease production of chyle fluid in order to avoid aggravating the effusion, ascites or chest tube drainage
Thus, a disproportionately high postoperative chest tube output (> 400ml/day) in a patient without enteral intake needs to be worked up for a chyle leak The definitive diagnosis is based on detection of triglycerides in the pleural fluid at a level >100 mg/dl Levels <50 mg/dl exclude the diagnosis. Abstract chylothorax is a relatively rare condition characterized by the accumulation of chyle, a milky lymphatic fluid, within the pleural space
It occurs because of disruption or obstruction of the thoracic duct or its tributaries, leading to chyle leakage into the pleural cavity
