Presentation
Post-operative status of a thoraco-abdominal aorta aneurysm repair.
Patient Data
Age: 85 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Chylothorax
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There is a moderate left pleural effusion of water density (around 11 HU), which is a non-specific finding in this post-operative patient. However, the effusion is strangely wavy instead of having the usual crescent shape. This does not necessarily correlate with chylothorax, but it makes us more suspicious of the diagnosis in the context of a possible peri-operative thoracic duct laceration.
Case Discussion
Chylothorax is suspected on clinical grounds, as in this patient. Pleural puncture and pleural fluid analysis confirmed the diagnosis.
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