Bilateral pleural effusion following cervical abscess drainage: a case report.
Postoperative bilateral chylothorax after cervical surgery has been rarely reported, whereas unilateral chylothorax has been occasionally reported after thoracic surgery. Here, we report a rare case of bilateral pleural effusion that developed after cervical abscess drainage. On the second day after the drainage, the patient felt dyspnea, and bilateral pleural effusion was found on a chest X-ray. The effusion was thought to be chyle and was successfully treated with conservative management. Additionally here, we have suggested that non-traumatic chylothorax was caused by increasing intraluminal pressure occurring inside the thoracic duct after its ligation. Careful follow up of any respiratory symptoms and of chest X-rays is recommended after cervical intervention.
Fukunaga
M
M
Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tayama
K
K
Takamori
S
S
Matsuo
T
T
Mitsuoka
M
M
Miwa
K
K
Hayashi
A
A
Shirouzu
K
K
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*