Effusion under the microscope.
Pseudochylothorax is a very rare form of pleural effusion. It is also called chyliform or cholesterol pleural effusion. It is usually a unilateral process and approximately one-third of patients are asymptomatic at presentation. We report a case of a 60 year old man with a background of rheumatoid arthritis who presented with progressive dyspnea. Chest X-ray revealed a new left pleural effusion and a small persistent right pleural effusion. He presented 5 years prior due to recurrent pleural effusion and no diagnosis was made. Repeat thoracentesis yielded 350 milliliters of thick, milky, tan-colored fluid.
Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland, sygiin@hotmail.com
S G
SG
Chong
Z
Z
Chauhan
E
E
Di Nino
A O
AO
Brien
B P
BP
Casserly
D002916:Chylothorax / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology*