Traumatic Chylothorax due to Cervical Stab Wound: A Case Report

Title:Traumatic Chylothorax due to Cervical Stab Wound: A Case Report

Volume: 5

Author(s): Gabriela Karabachian Tebar, Rafael de Lima Silva, Thiago Gaspar, Vitor Hernandes Lopes, Vinicius Vertematti de Castro, Jose Mauro da Silva Rodrigues and Marcelo A. F. Ribeiro Junior*

Affiliation:

• Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo – Campus Sorocaba, Brazil
• Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City – Mayo Clinic, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Khalifa University and Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE

Abstract:

Background: Chylothorax corresponds to the incidence of chyle in the pleural space; it was described for the first time in 1633. Its most common cause is associated with iatrogenic injuries to the thoracic duct; 80% of them take place during surgeries, such as pneumonectomy or esophagectomy.

Case presentation: A case of an unusual cervical stab wound complication in a 23-year-old man who presented a late large volume chylothorax has been presented and discussed in this paper, as well as its management.

Discussion: The presented case demonstrates a rare complication after a cervical stab wound. The management of chylothorax can involve non-operative management, non-operative intervention, or operative management depending on the symptoms and duration. Usually, surgical interventions are required after two weeks of clinical treatment. The differential diagnosis in a post-trauma acute onset ventilatory manifestation is mandatory to rule out pulmonary embolism.

Conclusion: Traumatic chylothorax is a rare event; however, its morbidity and mortality rates can be catastrophic when it is not diagnosed early and when the treatment is not established based on a proper flowchart. Thus, dietary and drug-based clinical measures, interventional radiology, videothoracoscopy, and thoracotomy for thoracic duct ligation are valid therapeutic options for the proper management of these cases.

Cite this article as:

Tebar Karabachian Gabriela, de Lima Silva Rafael, Gaspar Thiago, Hernandes Lopes Vitor, de Castro Vinicius Vertematti, da Silva Rodrigues Mauro Jose and Ribeiro Junior A. F. Marcelo*, Traumatic Chylothorax due to Cervical Stab Wound: A Case Report, New Emirates Medical Journal 2024; 5 : e310823220568 . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0250688205666230831143856