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Chylothorax as a complication of pulmonary tuberculosis in children

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Abstract

Chylothorax is a rare clinical entity characterized by a milky white aspirate with increased triglyceride levels. The commonest aetiology is malignancy and trauma. Pulmonary tuberculosis is an extremely rare cause of chylothorax. Two children with chylothorax and pulmonary tuberculosis are described. One child had bilateral and the other unilateral chylous effusions. Extensive mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy was demonstrated. Diseased lymph nodes may infiltrate other intrathoracic structures such as the thoracic duct, and they can also obstruct the cisterna chyli and thoracic duct. A possible explanation for the development of a chylothorax in our patients is obstruction of the thoracic duct by tuberculous lymphadenopathy with subsequent increase in pressure in the surrounding lymphatic system and leaking of chyle into the pleural space.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa

    Marie Grobbelaar, Savvas Andronikou, Salomine Theron, Ayanda Mapukata & Reena George

  2. Department of Child Health, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital, 203 Mullerhof, 15 Belle Ombre Road, Cape Town Tamboerskloof, 8001, South Africa

    Pierre Goussard

Authors
  1. Marie Grobbelaar
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  2. Savvas Andronikou
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  3. Pierre Goussard
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  4. Salomine Theron
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  5. Ayanda Mapukata
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  6. Reena George
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Savvas Andronikou.

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Grobbelaar, M., Andronikou, S., Goussard, P. et al. Chylothorax as a complication of pulmonary tuberculosis in children. Pediatr Radiol 38, 224–226 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0634-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0634-7

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