Chylothorax occurring 23 years post-irradiation: literature review and management strategies.
Chylothorax is an uncommon condition rarely seen outside the clinical scenario of trauma or malignancy, and management may be difficult. We report the case of a 52-year-old man with a right chylothorax occurring 23 years after mantle irradiation for Hodgkin's disease. In addition, a Medline literature search was performed. Chylothorax occurring post-irradiation is rare and the aetiology is uncertain. Recurrent malignancy must be excluded. There are a number of management options and our patient was successfully treated with a combination of thoracocentesis, medium chain triglyceride diet and thoracoscopy with talc pleurodesis. There was no evidence of recurrent chylothorax at 2 years follow up. Prompt assessment and treatment is required. Surgical measures need to be considered early if medical treatment is unsuccessful.
McWilliams
A
A
Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia.
Gabbay
E
E
D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors