Diagnostic and management problems of chylous effusion in a patient with newly-diagnosed tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Although TB most commonly affects the lungs, any organ or tissue can be involved. Extra-pulmonary forms of TB are commonly unrecognized or late diagnosed. Chylous effusion, i.e. chylothorax and chylous ascites, which is characterized by the presence of chyle in the pleural and peritoneal cavities, is an uncommon manifestation of extra-pulmonary TB. A 22-year-old male, referred to Dr. Soetomo Hospital with complaints of dyspnea, fever, and abdominal distension. Chest X-ray showed pleural effusion. Analysis of fluid obtained from thoracentesis and paracentesis showed chylothorax and chylous ascites. M. tuberculosis had been found in sputum smear examination. ADA (adenosine deaminase) test was performed on ascites fluid and a positive result was obtained. Chylous effusion in this patient were concluded to be related to TB. Patient was then treated with anti-TB drugs and somatostatin. Chylothorax and chylous ascites improved after treatment with somatostatin for 1 week. Administration of anti-TB drugs was planned to be continued for 9 months. The most common causes of non-traumatic chylous effusion in developing countries are infection of TB and filariasis. Chylous effusion is caused by obstruction or disruption of the lymphatic system. ADA test is a new biomedical method that begins to expand its use in body fluids to diagnose extra-pulmonary TB. Fasting, together with total parenteral nutrition, can decrease the lymph flow and balance metabolic impairment. Somatostatin has been used in the treatment of chylous effusion as it diminishes peristalsis and intestinal absorption of fats as well as decreases portal pressure.

68Ga-NOTA-Evans Blue PET/CT findings in lymphangioleiomyomatosis compared with 99mTC-ASC lymphoscintigraphy: a prospective study

Background Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare multisystem disease characterized by cystic lung disease and extrapulmonary manifestations, including lymphatic system disorder. The objective of this study was to investigate the findings of 68Ga-NOTA-Evans Blue (NEB) PET/CT in LAM and compare it with that of 99mTc-ASC lymphoscintigraphy. Methods Ten patients diagnosed with LAM according to the American Thoracic Society/Japanese Respiratory Society guidelines for LAM were recruited in this study. PET/CT acquisition was performed at 20 to 40 min after subcutaneous injection of 68Ga-NEB into the first interdigital spaces of both feet (0.3 ml, 37 MBq/foot). All subjects also underwent 99mTc-antimony sulfide colloid (ASC) lymphoscintigraphy within a week for comparison. Results 68Ga-NEB PET/CT displayed various lymphatic system abnormalities in 10 (100%) of 10 patients. These included pulmonary lymphatic abnormalities in 10 (100%) of 10 patients, enlarged lymph nodes in 5 (50%), lymphangioleiomyomas in 2 (20%), dilation of the lumbar trunk and/or iliac lymph vessels in 5 (50%), thoracic duct dilation in 2 (20%), chylous effusion in 1 (10%). For pulmonary lymphatic abnormalities, the positive rates of 68Ga-NEB PET/CT and 99mTc-ASC lymphoscintigraphy were 100% (10/10) and 10% (1/10), respectively (P < 0.001). As for the 7 patients with extrapulmonary lymphatic manifestations, 68Ga-NEB PET/CT also presented more information than 99mTc-ASC lymphoscintigraphy. Conclusion 68Ga-NEB PET/CT visualized pulmonary lymphatic abnormality and displayed extrapulmonary lymphatic system disorders of LAM, and might play a role in the diagnosis and evaluation of the disease. 68Ga-NEB PET/CT is advantageous over conventional 99mTc-ASC lymphoscintigraphy in LAM by providing more detailed information of lymphatic dysfunction.

Acute chylous peritonitis due to idiopathic pancreatitis mimicking acute appendicitis

The acute development and the accumulation of chyle into the peritoneal space is a rare condition and one needs to be able to distinguish it from chylous ascites, which is most commonly chronic and associated with related diseases. It is frequently idiopathic and additionally, clinical and imaging findings are nonspecific. In almost all cases, the diagnosis is made intraoperatively during laparoscopy or laparotomy, most diagnostic procedures being indicated by acute complaints pertaining to the abdomen. A 23-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain, with right iliac fossa tenderness and peritonism. Laparoscopy was performed due to acute abdomen findings. Further exploration revealed chylous effusion with milky-like fluid. The peritoneal lavage and the insertion of drains were subsequent to the careful inspection of the cavity. The biochemical analysis of the peritoneal fluid was an important aid which provided the diagnosis of chylous peritonitis due to acute pancreatitis.

Necrotising enterocolitis in a newborn infant treated with octreotide for chylous effusion: is octreotide safe?

Octreotide is a somatostatin analogue used for treating congenital chylothorax and congenital hyperinsulinism in infants. By increasing splanchnic arteriolar resistance and decreasing gastrointestinal blood flow, octreotide indirectly reduces lymphatic flow in chylous effusions.Splanchnic ischaemia following octreotide predisposes infants to necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Although NEC occurrence in infants treated with octreotide for hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia has been reported widely, its incidence in infants with chylothroax is low. We describe a case of congenital chylothorax in a preterm infant who had poor response to thoracentesis. Although octreotide initiation lead to resolution of chylothorax, he developed NEC. Cessation of octreotide and medical management resulted in rapid resolution of NEC. Since octreotide is generally used as the first-line treatment for chylous effusion, the risk of NEC should be considered, especially when the dosage is increased. Infants on octreotide should be closely observed for early signs and symptoms of NEC to avert surgical emergency.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis manifesting as refractory chylothorax and chyloperitoneum

This is a rare case of sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis (S-LAM) manifesting as refractory chylothorax and chyloperitoneum. A middle-aged woman with unremarkable medical history presented with respiratory failure, abdominal distension and anasarca. She was found to have high-output chylous effusion that required chest tube drainage, as well as chylous ascites. Notably initial chest and abdominal CT did not reveal characteristic pulmonary cysts or the presence of angiomyolipomas suggestive of LAM. An extensive oncologic and infectious work-up was undertaken with negative findings. The chylous effusion was persistent and refractory to thoracic duct embolization, total parenteral nutrition with octreotide, and talc pleurodesis. Diagnosis of S-LAM was confirmed after repeat chest CT showed subtle pulmonary cystic changes, and serum vascular endothelial growth factor-D level was found to be elevated at 834 pg/mL. Patient was started on sirolimus therapy, but lost to follow-up after hospital discharge. Patient died approximately 1 year later.

Chylous Cardiac Tamponade with Chylothoraces Secondary to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Octreotide in Conjuncture with Standard of Care Dietary Fat Restriction

Chylous effusions are a well-known complication from a variety of etiologies including trauma, malignancies, and anatomic defects, with the most common location being in the pleural space. A pericardial chylous effusion (chylopericardium) is uncommon, and a chylopericardium with concomitant bilateral chylous pleural effusions (chylothoraces) has only been reported in less than a handful of case reports. Our patient presented with bilateral chylothoraces and a chylopericardium with tamponade physiology secondary to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In this article, we discuss our treatment of this patient with the somatostatin analogue octreotide, as well as the standard of care dietary fat restriction, in order to control these effusions until the patient’s chemotherapy took effect.