Chylothorax 2280414 217477024 2008-06-06T05:30:18Z Arcadian 104523 infobox/nav {{Infobox_Disease | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Image = | Caption = | DiseasesDB = 29612 | ICD10 = {{ICD10|I|89|8|i|80}}, {{ICD10|J|91||j|90}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|457.8}}, {{ICD9|511.9}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicineSubj = med | eMedicineTopic = 381 | MeshID = D002916 }} A '''chylothorax''' is a type of [[pleural effusion]]. It results from lymphatic fluid accumulating in the [[pleural cavity]]. ==Causes== Its cause is usually leakage from the [[thoracic duct]] or one of the main lymphatic vessels that drain to it. The most common causes are [[lymphoma]] and [[Physical trauma|trauma]] caused by thoracic surgery. The effusion is characteristically white and milky in appearance and contains high levels of triglycerides. In animals, chylothorax usually results from diseases that cause obstruction to the thoracic duct preventing lymph from draining normally into the venous system. Examples include tumors, heartworm disease, right sided cardiac failure, or idiopathic [[lymphangiectasia]]. The most effective form of treatment is surgical ligation of the thoracic duct combined with partial pericardectomy. (reference: Birchard SJ, McLoughlin MA, Smeak DD. Chylothorax in the dog and cat: A review. Lymphology 28:64-72, 1995) == Related links == * [[Pleural effusion]] ==External links== * {{Chorus|00085}} [[Category:Diseases]] {{disease-stub}} {{Vascular diseases}} {{Respiratory pathology}} [[de:Chylothorax]] [[nl:Chylothorax]] [[ja:乳び胸]] [[pl:Chylothorax]] [[pt:Quilotórax]]