Congenital chylothorax treated with oral sildenafil: a case report and review of the literature

J Perinatol. 2015 May;35(5):384-6. doi: 10.1038/jp.2015.10.

Abstract

Congenital chylothorax (CC) can result from a congenital malformation or an acquired obstruction or disruption of the thoracic duct. Recently, oral administration of the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, sildenafil, was reported to be effective in resolving non-pulmonary lymphatic malformations in infants and young children. We report a case of CC in a late preterm infant with congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia where octreotide was not effective, but management with oral sildenafil was successful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chylothorax / congenital*
  • Chylothorax / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / drug therapy
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases / congenital*
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / drug therapy
  • Lymphangiectasis / congenital*
  • Lymphangiectasis / diagnosis
  • Lymphangiectasis / drug therapy
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Sildenafil Citrate / administration & dosage*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
  • Sildenafil Citrate

Supplementary concepts

  • Chylothorax, congenital
  • Lymphangiectasia, pulmonary, congenital