[Chylothorax: an unexpected complication of artificial ventilation in severe acute asthma].
BACKGROUND
Complications of mechanical ventilation for severe acute asthma are common and are related essentially to barotrauma. However, the incidence has declined in recent years thanks to different techniques of ventilation.


METHODS
We report a case of spontaneous chylothorax occurring during the course of ventilation in a patient with severe acute asthma where the ventilatory parameters were in accordance with current recommendations. Recovery was straightforward with resolution of the chylothorax and no recurrence either immediately or later. Exhaustive clinical, biological and morphological investigations failed to find any cause other than the mechanical ventilation.


CONCLUSIONS
This case of chylothorax may be considered as a rare barotraumatic complication of severe acute asthma.
Bourdin
A
A
Service de Réanimation Polyvalente, CHD Félix Guyon, Saint Denis de La Réunion.
Kierzek
G
G
Parera
K
K
Perrin
L
L
Tixier
F
F
Paganin
F
F
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000209:etiology; D015505:Chest Tubes; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index