In this case we describe a 58-year-old male with bilateral pleural effusion after a blunt trauma to the back. A pleural puncture revealed a chylothorax. An additional computed tomography scan showed a vertebral fracture at level D8 with rupture of the nearby thoracic duct. Our patient could be treated with a conservative approach. This case highlights the importance of ruling out a chylothorax in any post-traumatic pleural effusion. Despite the low prevalence, we consider it a don't-miss diagnosis given the specific treatment requirements.
Keywords: chylothorax; pleural effusion; thoracocentesis; trauma; triglycerides.
© 2024 The Authors. Respirology Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.