Congenital > Chylothorax

Congenital Chylothorax:

Clinical:

Congenital chylothorax occurs due to leakage of chyle from the thoracic duct. In the neonate it is most likely due to a traumatic tear of the thoracic duct during delivery. The effusion is more commonly right sided. Patients may present with respiratory distress if the effusion is large. The condition may also be associated with lymphangiomas of the mediastinum or cystic hygromas. Differential considerations for a pleural effusion in the neonate include: Hemothorax (due to birth trauma), CHF, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, erythroblastosis, or pneumonia. On CXR there is a large unilateral effusion which may completely opacify a lung field and cause contralateral shift.