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.