Pleural fluid analysis in chylous pleural effusion

OBJECTIVES: Chyle is a noninflammatory, lymphocyte-predominant fluid that may cause a pleural effusion as a consequence of thoracic duct leakage into the pleural space. Although chyle is reported to have protein concentrations in the transudative range, chylous effusions are typically exudative, as defined by the standard criteria. We hypothesized that chylous effusions from a thoracic duct leak alone have low lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations due to the absence of inflammation and are lymphocyte-predominant, protein-discordant exudates. Consequently, pleural effusions that do not meet these criteria but with triglyceride concentrations of > 110 mg/dL or are positive for chylomicrons should be associated with other diagnoses contributing to pleural fluid formation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: The pleural fluid analyses of 876 consecutive thoracenteses were reviewed. All cases with a triglyceride concentration of > 110 mg/dL or the presence of chylomicrons were retrieved. The effusions were then classified as transudates, concordant exudates, protein-discordant exudates, and LDH-discordant exudates, and according to lymphocyte predominance (> 50%). The causes of these pleural effusions were determined after the review of the medical record. RESULTS: Twenty-two pleural effusions had elevated triglyceride concentrations and/or were positive for chylomicrons. Eleven effusions were lymphocyte-predominant, protein-discordant exudates, and two of these were associated with chylous ascites. The remaining effusions were transudates (n = 7) or concordant exudates (n = 4); all were associated with conditions known to cause pleural effusion apart from chyle leakage. CONCLUSION: Chylous effusions caused solely by conditions known to cause chylothorax were lymphocyte-predominant, protein-discordant exudates. Protein concentrations in the transudative range or elevated LDH concentrations were associated with a coexisting condition that may impact the management of these chylous effusions.     

Outcomes of fetal intervention for primary hydrothorax

Objective

Primary hydrothorax is a rare congenital anomaly with outcomes ranging from spontaneous resolution to fetal demise. We reviewed our experience with fetuses diagnosed with primary hydrothorax to evaluate prenatal management strategies.

Methods

We reviewed the records of patients evaluated for fetal pleural effusions at our Fetal Treatment Center between 1996 and 2013. To define fetuses with primary hydrothorax, we excluded those with structural or genetic anomalies, diffuse lymphangiectasia, immune hydrops, and monochorionic diamniotic twin gestations.

Results

We identified 31 fetuses with primary hydrothorax, of whom 24 had hydrops. Hydropic fetuses were more likely to present with bilateral effusions. Of all fetuses with primary hydrothorax, 21 had fetal interventions. Survival without hydrops was 7/7 (100%), whereas survival with hydrops depended on whether or not the patient had fetal intervention: 12/19 (63%) with intervention and 1/5 (20%) without intervention. Premature delivery was common (44%) among those who had fetal intervention.

Conclusions

Fetal intervention for primary hydrothorax may lead to resolution of hydrops, but preterm birth and neonatal demise still occur. Understanding the pathophysiology of hydrops may provide insights into further prenatal management strategies, including targeted therapies to prevent preterm labor.     

Theraphy of neonatal chylothorax

A case of neonatal chylothorax following closure of a left-sided diaphragmatic defect and our therapeutic approach to this entity are presented. Conservative therapy with total parenteral nutrition and drainage is sufficient in most cases. Fluid and protein losses should be balanced exactly; immunoglobulin losses are compensated by early substitution. Early surgical revision, which carries an especially high risk in patients with a diaphragmatic defect or hernia, can thus be avoided in the immediate postoperative period. Offprint requests to: S. Kellnar     

经外周中心静脉置管相关性新生儿胸腔积液2例临床分析

目的探讨新生儿期经外周中心静脉置管(PICC)相关性胸腔积液的临床特点。方法回顾分析2例经外周中心静脉置管致胸腔积液新生儿的临床资料。结果 2例患儿均为女性早产儿;例1为26~(+5)周分娩,出生体质量800 g,于放置PICC后8小时出现呼吸困难加重,床旁胸片提示右侧大量胸腔积液,予以拔除PICC、行右侧胸腔积液穿刺抽液并胸腔闭式引流6天后胸腔积液治愈;例2为29~(+3)周分娩,出生体质量1240 g,于放置PICC后3天出现呼吸困难加重,床旁胸部X线片提示为双侧胸腔积液,予以拔除PICC、行双侧胸腔积液穿刺抽液后治愈。根据胸水常规和生化指标,结合病史,例1符合乳糜胸诊断,例2考虑为液体外渗。结论新生儿PICC相关性胸腔积液较少见,但病因不一且进展迅速;临床需警惕并积极处理。     

食管癌术后并发乳糜胸患者的护理

目的总结16例食管癌患者术后并发乳糜胸的护理体会。方法回顾性分析本院2006年3月～2011年3月16例食管癌术后并发乳糜胸患者的临床资料,并总结护理要点。结果14例采用保守治疗,行胸腔闭式引流术;2例采用左胸横膈上低位胸导管结扎术后行胸腔闭式引流术。所有患者经对症治疗和护理后痊愈出院。结论乳糜胸是食管癌术后严重的并发症,护理人员应严密观察病情,及时发现病情变化,并给予针对性的治疗和护理措施,其对食管癌术后并发乳糜胸的恢复具有重要的意义。     

常规低位整束结扎胸导管预防食管癌术后乳糜胸

目的　探讨常规低位结扎胸导管预防食管癌术后乳糜胸的经验和方法。方法　全组 45 1例 ,男 2 90例 ,女 16 1例 ,年龄 38～ 80岁之间 ,中位年龄 6 0 5岁 ,临床病理分期 ,Ⅰ期 2 1例 ,Ⅱa期 139例 ,Ⅱb期 110例 ,Ⅲ期 137例 ,Ⅳ期 2 4例 ,术中常规低位整束结扎胸导管。结果　未发现乳糜胸。结论　常规低位整束结扎胸导管预防术后乳糜胸方法简便 ,效果优良。     

选择性低位结扎胸导管预防食管癌术后乳糜胸

目的探讨选择性低位结扎胸导管预防食管癌术后乳糜胸的发生。方法根据食管癌术后并发乳糜胸的原因,总结低位结扎胸导管预防食管癌术后乳糜胸的适应证,选择40例食管癌根治术患者进行选择性行低位集束结扎胸导管。术前3～4h服用牛奶200ml,或植物油50ml,或经胃管注入橄榄油等。结果全组术后无一例发生乳糜胸。结论对于食管癌手术预防乳糜胸选择适当的适应证及掌握胸导管结扎的方法进行预防性结扎胸导管取得较好的临床效果。     

Peripheral parenteral nutrition in a case of chyle leak following neck dissection

Chylothorax is an uncommon condition which is potentially life-threatening if untreated. The following case study of a 75-year-old man with chyle leak following surgery shows how prompt dietetic action prevented further compromise in immune function and nutritional status. Dietetic recommendation to minimize enteral intake rapidly stopped chyle flow and promoted wound closure. Peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) was administered in order to prevent malnutrition. There is limited literature available for evidence of best practice for cases of chyle leakage, however, this particular case demonstrates PPN should be considered despite the potential risks.     

Conservative management of traumatic chylothorax: a case report

A case is presented of a right traumatic chylothorax, secondary to thoracic trauma with bilateral posterior eleventh rib fracture, treated by total parenteral nutrition and pleural drainage, with resolution within 2 weeks. On the basis of this clinical report and of a review of the literature, it is concluded that adequate conservative management should be initially the treatment of choice. Surgical treatment should be reserved to the cases in which clinical improvement does not occur within 2 weeks, and should consist of supradiaphragmatic thoracic duct ligation. Thoracoscopic fibrin glue injection has recently been described as a possible alternative treatment.     

Lymphatic imaging and intervention in a pediatric population: Anesthetic considerations

The recent adoption of an improved lymphatic access technique coupled with Dynamic Contrast‐enhanced Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography has introduced the ability to diagnose and treat severe lymphatic disorders unresponsive to other therapies. All pediatric patients presenting for lymphatic procedures require general anesthesia presenting challenges in managing highly morbid and comorbid conditions both from logistical as well as medical aspects. General anesthesia is used because of the procedural requirement for immobility to accurately place needles and catheters, treat pain secondary to contrast and glue injections, and to accommodate additional procedures. We reviewed a one‐year cohort of all pediatric patients in a newly created Center for Lymphatic Imaging and Intervention at a tertiary care children's hospital presenting for lymphatic procedures. The patients ranged in age from 4 days to 17 years and weighed from 2.5 to 92 kg. There were 106 anesthetics for 68 patients. Patients were functionally impaired (98% ASA 3 or 4) and included significant comorbidities (79.4%). Concurrent with lymphatic imaging and intervention additional procedures were frequently performed (76%). They included cardiac catheterization, bronchoscopy, endoscopy, and drain placement (thoracic or abdominal). Paralysis and controlled ventilation was used for all interventions. Reversal of paralysis and tracheal extubation occurred in all patients not previously managed by invasive respiratory support. All patients having an intervention were admitted to intensive care for observation where escalation of care or complications (fever, hypotension, bleeding, or stroke) occurred in 25% in the first 24 hours.