Chylothorax: Difference between revisions

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*+/- BNP, [[D-dimer]], [[Troponin]] to rule out other etiology
*+/- BNP, [[D-dimer]], [[Troponin]] to rule out other etiology
*+/- Bedside [[lung ultrasound]]
*+/- Bedside [[lung ultrasound]]
*[[Thoracentesis]] with fluid:
*[[Thoracentesis]] with classically white, odorless, milky fluid:
**Triglycerides
**Differentiate from empyema and pseudochylothorax
**Cholesterol
***Triglycerides
**LDH
***Cholesterol
**Protein
***LDH
**Culture and gram stain
***Protein
**Cell differential and count
***Culture and gram stain
***Cell differential and count
*Serum LDH and total protein comparison
*Serum LDH and total protein comparison



Revision as of 23:20, 26 February 2017

Background

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Acute dyspnea

Emergent

Non-Emergent

Evaluation

  • CXR
  • ECG
  • CBC, BMP
  • +/- BNP, D-dimer, Troponin to rule out other etiology
  • +/- Bedside lung ultrasound
  • Thoracentesis with classically white, odorless, milky fluid:
    • Differentiate from empyema and pseudochylothorax
      • Triglycerides
      • Cholesterol
      • LDH
      • Protein
      • Culture and gram stain
      • Cell differential and count
  • Serum LDH and total protein comparison

Management

  • Thoracic duct leaks close spontaneously in ~50% of patients[1]
  • Treat underlying cause (e.g. chemoradiation for malignancy)
  • Refractory: pleurodesis, thoracic duct ligation, pleuroperitoneal shunt, pleurectomy

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Bender B, Murthy V, Chamberlain RS. The changing management of chylothorax in the modern era. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2016 Jan. 49 (1):18-24. [Medline]