Bilateral chylothorax complicating bibasilar pneumonia: A case report

Abstract

A 24-year-old previously healthy, HIV-negative lady with acute respiratory symptoms for one week, presented with bilateral chylous pleural effusions and bibasilar pneumonia. She responded rapidly to antimicrobial therapy and bilateral tube thoracostomies. Analysis of a sample of right pleural fluid confirmed exudative chylous effusion. No organisms were identified on fluid microscopy or culture. The left pleural fluid was macroscopically chylous. She had no features of tuberculosis. Bilateral chylothorax complicating bibasilar pneumonia is considerably rare.