Chylothorax in a Young Woman With Crohn Disease.

Abstract

Chylothorax, which accounts for 1% to 3% of pleural effusions, typically results from either surgery (traumatic) or underlying malignancy (nontraumatic). Less common causes of nontraumatic chylothorax are numerous and include congenital lymphatic abnormalities, connective tissue diseases, cirrhosis, and infection, among others.1 We describe what appears to be the first reported case of chylothorax caused by chylous ascites in Crohn disease. This case highlights the importance of using diagnostic evidence to link new symptoms to preexisting diseases whenever possible, as well as the systemic nature of Crohn disease.