Chyliform (pseudochylous) pleural effusion.
A chyliform (pseudochylous) effusion is an uncommon disease entity which develops after an exudative effusion is in situ for a long time. It is commonly initiated by a tuberculous pleurisy and it is important to exclude the presence of active tuberculosis. We present a case with the characteristic features. Chylothorax was excluded by demonstrating in the pleural fluid a relatively low level of triglycerides with a cholesterol/triglyceride level of less than one and abundant cholesterol crystals.
González
R
R
Medical and Ambulatory Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ramírez-Rivera
J
J
D000368:Aged; D002913:Chyle; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage; D004653:Empyema / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed