title: Bilateral traumatic chylothorax: a complication of fracture-dislocation of the T-spine.
abstract: Traumatic chylothorax is a rare complication of fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine. Not treated adequately, it will be associated with high mortality and morbidity. A review of the English literature shows that bilateral traumatic chylothorax is rarely discussed. A case is presented of fracture-dislocation of the third thoracic vertebra combined with bilateral traumatic chylothorax following a motor vehicle accident. The mechanism of injury is described. The management strategies are, initially, conservative treatment including chest tube drainage, NPO with total parenteral nutrition (TPN), followed by medium-chain triglyceride diet. Without improvement, surgical measures such as mediastinal ligation of the thoracic duct should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002916:Chylothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*