title: Chylothorax Associated with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
abstract: An 80-year-old man who had suffered from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and achieved complete remission was admitted to our hospital due to right pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed that the effusion was chyle. Lymphoscintigraphy showed an obstruction of the thoracic duct below the sternum. CD45-gated flow cytometry of the pleural effusion showed elevated numbers of CD5- and CD23-positive lymphocytes and a high serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor. These results suggested that the chylothorax was caused by the obstruction of the thoracic duct by the sludging of either abnormal lymphocytes of CLL or transformed malignant lymphoma cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization Wakayama Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kohmoto
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawabe
authors.forename: Hideya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Ryuta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yanagimoto
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arimoto
authors.forename: Atsutoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatada
authors.forename: Tadatoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suruda
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Minakata
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012074:Remission Induction; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome