Chylothorax From Gorham-Stout Disease. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2018;25:340-342. [PMID: 29771777 DOI: 10.1097/lbr.0000000000000506]

Chylothorax following posterior low lumbar fusion surgery: A case report

BACKGROUND

Postoperative chylothorax is usually regarded as a complication associated with cardiothoracic surgery; however, it is one of the rare complications in orthopedic surgery. This case report describes a female patient who developed chylothorax after a successful L4-S1 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery. The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment were analyzed and discussed.

CASE SUMMARY

A 50-year-old woman was admitted with repeated back and leg pain. She was diagnosed with L4 degenerative spondylolisthesis, L4/L5 and L5/S1 intervertebral disc herniation and L5 instability, and underwent successful posterior L4-S1 instrumentation and fusion surgery. Unfortunately, thoracic effusion was identified 2 d after operation. The thoracic effusion was finally confirmed to be chylous based on twice positive chyle qualitative tests. The patient was discharged after 12-d persisting drainage, 3-d total parenteral nutrition and fasting, and other supportive treatments. No recurring symptoms were observed within 12 mo follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Differential diagnosis is crucial for unusual thoracic effusion. Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of chylothorax are necessary. Thorough intraoperative protection to relieve high thoracic pressure caused by the prone position is important.

Gorham-Stout disease: interesting cause of pleural effusion

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare disorder characterised by massive painless osteolysis due to lymphangiomatous tissue progression. GSD's pathogenesis is still unclear, but osteoclasts' activation may play a role in its pathogenesis. There are multiple complications associated with GSD. One of the most severe and life-threatening complications is a chylothorax. Herein we discuss a case of a patient with a history of GSD who presented to the hospital with progressive dyspnoea secondary to a large left-sided pleural effusion, which was later confirmed to be a chylothorax. We will further discuss the current literature and treatment of chylothorax associated with GSD.

99mTc-SC lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT findings in a case report of Gorham-Stout disease presenting with chylothorax and bone pain

RATIONALE

Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare disorder characterized by multiple osteolytic lesions, sometimes complicated by chylothorax. The aim of this case report is to introduce a very rare case of Gorham-Stout syndrome, which involved several bones along with chylous pericardial and pleural effusions detected by Tc-sulfur colloid (SC) lymphoscintigraphy and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT).

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 15-year-old girl presented to our hospital complaining of shortness of breath and bone pain.

DIAGNOSIS

The CT showed multiple osteolytic lesions, left-sided pleural effusion, and pericardial effusion. Tc-SC lymphoscintigraphy showed discontinuation of thoracic duct and tracer accumulation on the left side chest. SPECT/CT revealed increased radioactivity uptake in pleural, pericardial effusions, and some thoracolumbar spines. Diagnostic thoracentesis to identify the nature of pleural effusion and histopathology of biopsy in the right femoral to that of the bone lesion were performed. Based on the clinical information, histopathologic, and radiographic findings, the diagnosis of GSD was made.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient received thoracic duct ligation and bisphosphonates treatment.

OUTCOMES

After receiving thoracic duct ligation and bisphosphonates treatment, the patient's symptoms of bone pain and dyspnea were relieved, and the pericardial and pleural fluid was diminished dramatically. At the 3-month and 9-month follow-up visit, the patient had nearly complete remission without any complication.

LESSONS

The Tc-SC lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT could provide significant value assessing the lymphatic abnormity and evaluating the extent of disease, therefore aiding to guide decision making in the clinic.