title: Octreotide in the treatment of congenital chylothorax.
abstract: Congenital chylothorax is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space. Cases unresponsive to conservative management usually require surgery. Octreotide has been used successfully to treat post-traumatic chylothoraces in the paediatric and adult population. Its exact mode of action is uncertain but it is believed to reduce lymphatic drainage by a direct action on splanchnic lymph flow. We report a case of congenital chylothorax where surgery was avoided with the compassionate trial of the somatostatin analogue, octreotide. Treatment was associated with prompt respiratory improvement prior to cessation of pleural drainage. Further studies are required to ascertain its true value in congenital chylothorax.
authors.affiliation: Department of Newborn Care, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Rasiah
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lui
mesh_terms: D002916:Chylothorax / Q000151:congenital / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide