title: Bilateral chylothorax: an unusual complication of cervical rib resection.
abstract: Bilateral chylothorax is a rare cause of pleural effusions. Here we report an unusual acute presentation of bilateral chylothorax following thoracic outlet surgery. Unique to this case was the disparate characteristics of pleural fluid analyses with an exudate on the left and a transudate on the right. This report describes the recognition and management of bilateral chylothoraces, an uncommon but potentially serious complication of this frequently performed surgical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Jaymin B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Morjaria
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aslam
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Greenstone
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Jack A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kastelik
keywords: bilateral chylothorax; cervical rib; exudative effusion; pleural effusion; transudative effusion