Nontraumatic Chylothorax: A Case Series From a Safety-Net Hospital

Abstract

Chylothorax is an uncommon type of pleural effusion caused by the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space. It represents 2% to 3% of pleural effusions and can be classified into 4 categories: traumatic, malignant, idiopathic, or miscellaneous. Chylothoraces may carry high morbidity and mortality, especially when associated with trauma or malignancies. We present 3 cases of nontraumatic chylothorax confirmed by pleural fluid analysis, with different etiologies, seen by the pulmonary department at our hospital in 2022. They represent the wide spectrum of conditions that can be associated with this unusual finding.