Chylothorax is a medical condition in which a fluid known as chyle accumulates in the cavity which surrounds the lungs, making it difficult for the lungs to inflate. As a result, the owner of the lungs experiences difficulty breathing, which results in reduced oxygenation of the blood and a cascading series of medical complications which can lead to death in severe cases.
Patients can develop this condition in response to thoracic trauma, including trauma caused by surgery, and the condition can also develop as a complication of lymphoma. Premature babies can also develop this condition, and in some families, there is a history of congenital chylothorax which may lead a doctor to recommend special measures during labor and delivery to protect newborns.
This condition is a type of pleural effusion, meaning that it is a medical condition characterized by a buildup of fluid (effusion) in the pleural space, the cavity which surrounds the lungs. The pleural space normally has some fluid present to lubricate the lungs and facilitate breathing. In pleural effusion, fluids such as blood or chyle fill up the pleural cavity, inhibiting lung function.
Chyle primarily contains lymph, mixed with some fatty acids which give it a milky color. It is a byproduct of digestion which normally drains away through lymph ducts in the chest. When these ducts become blocked, the fluid can spill over into the pleural cavity, leading to chylothorax.
Patients with the condition usually experience severe difficulty breathing, and their lungs may even collapse from the fluid buildup. Medical imaging studies such as X-rays and MRIs can reveal a fluid buildup, and biopsies can be used to determine which type of fluid is present. In some cases, chylothorax can resolve itself, but it may be necessary to insert a tube to allow the fluid to drain, and then to address the cause of the buildup of chyle so that the pleural effusion will not happen again.
The risk factors are well known, and people who have these risk factors will be monitored closely for the sounds of fluid buildup. For example, people who experience trauma to the chest will be evaluated in their medical workup to look for signs of chyle around the lungs, and patients are routinely monitored after surgery for the signs of any complications, including chylothorax. People with lymphoma will also be examined for the signs of complications when they receive treatment and care.