title: Simultaneous occurrence of chylothorax and subarachnoid pleural fistula after thoracotomy.
abstract: A left chylothorax complicated elective left posterolateral thoracotomy and emergency decompressive laminectomy carried out on a 32-year-old woman with a benign neurofibroma. Failure of conservative therapy necessitated ligation of the thoracic duct and this in turn unmasked the concomitant subarachnoid-pleural fistula. Surgical repair and lumbar subarachnoid drainage were required to close the second fistula. The clinical setting, diagnosis and management of this uncommon condition are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000601:surgery; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013346:Subarachnoid Space; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000601:surgery; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*