Late-onset tension traumatic chylothorax: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Chylothorax is the presence of chyle in the pleural space. In the literature, there are few cases of late chylothorax. We present the case of a male with late tension chylothorax, a management algorithm, and the results of a recent literature review and its correlation to the case. We report the case of a 52-year-old male patient with late tension chylothorax, secondary to a stab wound in zone 1 of the neck. Tension chylothorax represents an absolute emergency. The success of this management will hinge on the individualization of each particular case.

Keywords

• Chylothorax. Pleural diseases. Thoracic duct. Trauma.