title: [Chylothorax in an 87-year-old patient].
abstract: An 87-year-old woman presented with a left-sided pleural effusion. The milky aspirate fulfilled the criteria of a chylothorax. Thorax computed tomography (CT) showed characteristic multiple cysts and consequently the rare diagnosis of post-menopausal pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis was made. In the diagnostic work-up of pleural effusion the determination of triglycerides should be considered to confirm the diagnosis of chylothorax. In the presence of a chylothorax the differential diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis should be included even in advanced age.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Pneumologie, Medizinische Klinik II, Krankenhaus Neuwittelsbach, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Leuchte
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003933:Diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D018192:Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D017698:Postmenopause