Chylothorax after blunt chest trauma: a report of 2 cases.
Chylothorax is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma and is associated with fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine in only 20% of these cases. Two cases of chylothorax after blunt chest injury are described in this paper; 1 was related to a fracture of the third thoracic vertebra. Closed chest drainage and total parenteral nutrition led to resolution of the condition within 3 weeks in both cases. In general, traumatic chylothorax should be managed conservatively for at least 4 weeks before surgical intervention is considered.
Ikonomidis
J S
JS
Department of Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, University of Toronto, Ont.
Boulanger
B R
BR
Brenneman
F D
FD
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012914:Snow; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy