Chylothorax in the context of alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver

Authors

  • Ricardo Freitas Serviço de Medicina I dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra
  • Jessica Ceymelin Jones Serviço de Medicina I dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra
  • António Aragão Serviço de Medicina I dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra
  • José Ferrão Serviço de Medicina I dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra
  • Maria Helena Saldanha Serviço de Medicina I dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra

Keywords:

Pleural effusion, Portosystemic Shunt (T.I.P.S.), Chylotorax

Abstract

The authors present the case of a 70 year-old patient, with a story
of chronic alcohol abuse and pulmonary tuberculosis in the past,
admitted to hospital for pleural effusion. Physical examination
showed jaundiced, decrease of breath sounds in the left hemithorax and abdominal prominence with flank tenderness. Abdominal
ultrasound showed ascites and pleural effusion. Thoracocentesis
revealed pleural fluid with characteristics of a transudative milky
effusion. Liver biopsy showed a micronodular cirrhosis pattern. The
option for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (T.I.P.S.)
resulted very well, and the patient remains clinically stable twelve months after its placement.

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References

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Additional Files

Published

2008-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Freitas R, Ceymelin Jones J, Aragão A, Ferrão J, Saldanha MH. Chylothorax in the context of alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. RPMI [Internet]. 2008 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 May 10];15(2):124-30. Available from: https://revista.spmi.pt/index.php/rpmi/article/view/1461

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Section

Case Reports

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