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Refractory Chylothorax: Where Do We Go Now?

  • Pleural Diseases and Mesothelioma (H Davies, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to discuss the efficacy and safety of recently introduced diagnostic procedures and radiological interventions for the treatment of chylothorax and their integration into classic strategies such as dietetic measures, the use of octreotide and its analogues and surgery.

Recent Findings

To date, there are no published validated algorithms to guide chylothorax treatment with the majority of evidence predominantly derived from case series.

Summary

Although radiological interventions appear viable and safe, they are currently available in only a small number of centres. When conservative management fails, other strategies such as pleurodesis or indwelling pleural catheter are reasonable alternative treatments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pleural Medicine Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRB Lleida, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Avda Alcalde Rovira, Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain

    Silvia Bielsa

  2. Department of Radiology, IRB Lleida, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Lleida, Spain

    Marina Pardina

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  1. Silvia Bielsa
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Bielsa, S., Pardina, M. Refractory Chylothorax: Where Do We Go Now?. Curr Pulmonol Rep 8, 60–67 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-019-0226-7

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