Chyloptysis after ligation of the thoracic duct

Abstract

Chyloptysis is a very rare clinical finding. We describe a 44-year-old man who presented with cough and milky-white sputum. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed white sputum, which originated from the right B6 bronchus. The finding of elevated triglyceride levels in his sputum led to the diagnosis of chyloptysis. He had a surgical history of ligation of the thoracic duct for idiopathic chylopericarditis 7 years-previously. He also suffered from postoperative bilateral empyema. Since then, his pleural cavity has been adhered bilaterally. It is thought that his abnormal postoperative lymphatic flow caused the chyloptysis. © 2012 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.