Chylothorax is a medical condition where chyle fluid builds up in the pleural space around the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and reduced blood oxygenation. It can be caused by chest trauma, lymphoma, or congenital factors, and is characterized by a buildup of fluid in the pleural cavity. Treatment may involve draining the fluid and addressing the underlying cause. Risk factors are monitored closely.
Chylothorax is a medical condition in which a fluid known as chyle builds up in the cavity surrounding the lungs, making it difficult for the lungs to inflate. As a result, the owner of the lungs has difficulty breathing, which results in reduced blood oxygenation and a cascading series of medical complications that can lead to death in severe cases.
Patients can develop this condition in response to chest trauma, including trauma from 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 can lead a doctor to recommend special measures during labor and delivery to protect newborns.
This condition is a type of pleural effusion, which means it’s a medical condition characterized by a buildup of fluid (effusion) in the pleural space, the cavity that surrounds the lungs. The pleural space normally has fluid present to lubricate the lungs and make breathing easier. In pleural effusion, fluids such as blood or chyle fill the pleural cavity, inhibiting lung function.
Chyle contains mostly sap, mixed with some fatty acids which give it a milky color. It is a byproduct of digestion that normally drains away through the lymphatic ducts in the chest. When these ducts become blocked, fluid can leak into the pleural cavity, leading to chylothorax.
Patients with this condition usually have severe difficulty breathing, and their lungs may even collapse due to fluid buildup. Medical imaging studies such as X-rays and MRIs can reveal a fluid buildup, and biopsies can be used to determine what type of fluid is present. In some cases, chylothorax may resolve on its own, but a tube may need to be inserted to allow the fluid to drain and then address the cause of the chyle buildup so the pleural effusion doesn’t recur.
The risk factors are well known, and people who have these risk factors will be monitored closely for sounds of fluid buildup. For example, people who have suffered trauma to the chest will be evaluated in their medical history to look for signs of chylothorax around the lungs, and patients are monitored regularly after surgery for signs of any complications, including chylothorax. People with lymphoma will also be screened for signs of complications when they receive treatment and care.
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