Congenital Chylothorax: Management and Long-term Outcome A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Congenital chylothorax is the most common cause of pleural effusion in the neonatal period. We describe a 9 days old new born admitted for respiratory distress. The chest X-rays showed a white right lung with a left mediastinal shift. A pleural aspiration assessed the diagnosis of chylothorax. Lympho-scintigraphy detected rapid drainage of lymph into the right side of the chest. A conservative treatment was initiated with pleural aspirations and total parenteral nutrition followed by enteral feeding using semi elemental formula. This treatment was effective and the child was discharged from the hospital at the age of 40 days. A 6 years follow-up, revealed no recurrence of the chylothorax.