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.
