Blunt trauma-induced bilateral chylothorax.
This report describes the case of a man who presented in a delayed manner after blunt trauma with bilateral chylothoraces, a rare result of trauma. He presented with shortness of breath and chest pain. A diagnostic workup resulted in the determination of traumatic chylothorax. His course in the hospital identified a disruption at a level of the 5th thoracic vertebra. No surgical ligation was required because his leak spontaneously sealed after conservative measures. The anatomy, physiology, mechanisms, and management of this injury are discussed.
McCormick
J
J
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA.
Henderson
S O
SO
D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*