Chylothorax and chylopericardial tamponade in a hemodialysis patient with catheter-induced superior vena cava stenosis

Semin Dial. 2009 Sep-Oct;22(5):576-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-139X.2009.00622.x. Epub 2009 Sep 11.

Abstract

Chylothorax and chylopericardium refer to the presence of milky, triglyceride-rich chylous fluid in the thoracic and pericardial spaces, respectively. Both conditions are extremely uncommon in end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis. We report the first known case of combined chylothorax and chylous pericardial tamponade in a dialysis patient associated with catheter-induced superior vena cava (SVC) stenosis. A successful outcome was achieved with drainage of both chylous effusions in combination with angioplasty of the SVC stenosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology*
  • Chylothorax / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pericardial Effusion / etiology*
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / complications*