title: Idiopathic congenital chylothorax treated with octreotide.
abstract: Idiopathic congenital chylothorax is defined as an abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space and is a relatively rare condition. It is a cause of progressive respiratory distress with nutritional and immunological consequences. Treatment of congenital chylothorax has been conservative management and cases unresponsive usually require surgery. We report a case of idiopathic congenital chylothorax treated with octreotide (a somatostatin analogue), avoiding surgery after failed conservative medical treatment. The patient promptly improved after initiation of endovenous octreotide treatment (10 µg/kg/h) with no observed side effects.
authors: Hospital Central do Funchal, Rochinha Village, Funchal, Portugal. pauloregodesousa@portugalmail.pt
authors: Paulo Rego
authors: PR
authors: Sousa
authors: Henrique
authors: H
authors: Leitão
authors: Maria Carmo
authors: MC
authors: Camacho
authors: José Luis
authors: JL
authors: Nunes
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000151:congenital* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019152:Paracentesis; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide