- ISSN: 0250-6882
- E-ISSN: 0250-6882
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oa Traumatic Chylothorax due to Cervical Stab Wound: A Case Report
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Authors:
Gabriela Karabachian Tebar1, Rafael de Lima Silva1, Thiago Gaspar1, Vitor Hernandes Lopes1, Vinicius Vertematti de Castro1, Jose Mauro da Silva Rodrigues1 and Marcelo A. F. Ribeiro Junior1,2,3
- Source: New Emirates Medical Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1, Jan 2024, e310823220568
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- 23 Apr 2023
- 07 Aug 2023
- 01 Jan 2024
Abstract
Chylothorax corresponds to the incidence of chyle in the pleural space; it was described for the first time in 1633. Its most common cause is associated with iatrogenic injuries to the thoracic duct; 80% of them take place during surgeries, such as pneumonectomy or esophagectomy.
A case of an unusual cervical stab wound complication in a 23-year-old man who presented a late large volume chylothorax has been presented and discussed in this paper, as well as its management.
The presented case demonstrates a rare complication after a cervical stab wound. The management of chylothorax can involve non-operative management, non-operative intervention, or operative management depending on the symptoms and duration. Usually, surgical interventions are required after two weeks of clinical treatment. The differential diagnosis in a post-trauma acute onset ventilatory manifestation is mandatory to rule out pulmonary embolism.
Traumatic chylothorax is a rare event; however, its morbidity and mortality rates can be catastrophic when it is not diagnosed early and when the treatment is not established based on a proper flowchart. Thus, dietary and drug-based clinical measures, interventional radiology, videothoracoscopy, and thoracotomy for thoracic duct ligation are valid therapeutic options for the proper management of these cases.
