A rare case of milky urine

Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2010 Oct;122(19-20):596-600. doi: 10.1007/s00508-010-1465-3. Epub 2010 Sep 30.

Abstract

Chyluria is an uncommon condition characterized by lymphatic fluid excretion into the urinary tract. Most common causes of chyluria are infections by parasites e.g. filariasis, echinococcosis, or cysticercosis. Nonparasitic chyluria is a very rare condition and possible etiologies include granulomatous disease (e.g. tuberculosis, leprosy, and fungal infection), malignomes, inherited and acquired malformation (posttraumatic), pregnancy, or aortic aneurysm. We present a case of a 73-year-old man, born and raised in Taiwan, but living in Austria for the past 5 years. He was admitted in our department by a general practitioner due to milky urine, whose turbidity increased after meal. All tests for infectious diseases or other above-mentioned causes remained negative. Additionally, although flexible cystoscopy yielded in a clear diagnosis of a milky urine jet out of the right urether, CT urography and bipedal lymphangiography failed to locate the lymphorenal fistula. Due to a stable renal function and absence of lipid metabolism disorders, a conservative management of the patient was chosen.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Chyle
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Lymphatic Diseases / etiology
  • Lymphatic Diseases / urine*
  • Male
  • Rare Diseases / diagnosis
  • Rare Diseases / urine
  • Urologic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Urologic Diseases / etiology
  • Urologic Diseases / urine*