Octreotide as therapeutic option for congenital idiopathic chylothorax: a case series

Persistent Postoperative Chylothorax in a Neonate Undergoing Primary Esophageal Atresia Repair Successfully Treated by Open Thoracic Duct Ligation: A Case Report

Chylothorax represents the accumulation of chyle in the pleural cavity due to leakage from the thoracic duct or its tributaries. Intraoperative intrathoracic lymphatic injury is a common cause, but it can also occur on its own. Management of chylothorax involves both medical therapy and, in some cases, surgery for postoperative patients and those who haven't responded to medical therapy. We describe a case of a one-month-old female infant with right-sided chylothorax following primary esophageal atresia repair, who underwent successful thoracic duct ligation by open thoracotomy after unsuccessful medical treatment. Minimally invasive radiology is now the standard treatment for traumatic chylothorax because it is safe and effective. However, surgical ligation of the thoracic duct remains an effective option for treating high-output or recurring chylothorax in countries with limited resources.

Congenital Chylothorax of the Newborn: A Systematic Analysis of Published Cases between 1990 and 2018

BACKGROUND

Congenital chylothorax (CCT) of the newborn is a rare entity but the most common cause of pleural effusion in this age-group. We aimed to find the optimal treatment strategy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A PubMed search was performed according to the PRISMA criteria. All cases were analyzed according to prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal treatment modalities and follow-ups.

RESULTS

We identified 753 cases from 157 studies published between 1990 and 2018. The all-cause mortality rate was 28%. Prematurity was present in 71%, male gender dominated 57%, mean gestational age was 34 weeks, and birth weight was 2,654 g. Seventy-nine percent of newborns had bilateral CCT, the most common associated congenital anomalies with CCT were pulmonary lymphangiectasia and pulmonary hypoplasia, and the most common chromosomal aberrations were Down, Noonan, and Turner syndromes, respectively. Mechanical ventilation was reported in 381 cases for mean 17 (range 1-120) days; pleural punctuations and drainages were performed in 32% and 64%, respectively. Forty-four percent received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for mean 21 days, 46% medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) diet for mean 37 days, 20% octreotide, and 3% somatostatin; chemical pleurodesis was performed in 116 cases, and surgery was reported in 48 cases with a success rate of 69%. In 462 cases (68%), complete restitution was reported; in 34 of 44 cases (77%), intrauterine intervention was carried out.

CONCLUSION

Respiratory support, pleural drainages, TPN, and MCT diet as octreotide remain to be the cornerstones of CCT management. Pleurodesis with OK-432 done prenatally and povidone-iodine postnatally might be discussed for use in life-threatening CCT.

Non-immune hydrops fetalis secondary to congenital chylothorax with diffuse interstitial lung disease: a diagnostic conundrum

A Chinese male infant was born at 35 weeks weighing 2935 g to a mother with polyhydramnios and prenatal hydrops fetalis. He developed marked respiratory distress secondary to bilateral congenital chylothorax and required pleural drainage, high frequency oscillation and inhaled nitric oxide therapy. He was extubated to non-invasive ventilation by day 14. There was no bacterial or intrauterine infection, haematologic, chromosomal or cardiac disorder. He was exclusively fed medium-chain triglyceride formula. High-resolution CT showed diffuse interstitial lung disease. He received a dexamethasone course for chronic lung disease to facilitate supplemental oxygen weaning. A multidisciplinary team comprising neonatology, pulmonology, haematology, interventional radiology and thoracic surgery considered congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia as the most likely diagnosis and advised open lung biopsy, lymphangiography or scintigraphy for diagnostic confirmation should symptoms of chylothorax recur. Fortunately, he was weaned off oxygen at 5 months of life, and tolerated human milk challenge at 6 months of life and grew well.

The use of high dose octreotide in management of neonatal chylothorax: Review

BACKGROUND

Being a rare condition, the incidence of chylothorax among neonates is low, but the mortality rate is high. In a dire effort to reduce the risk of death, octreotide treatment is used to effectively treat acquired and congenital chylothorax. Octreotide is proven to effectively treat chylothorax in pre-term and full-term neonates. However, previous studies have not consistently demonstrated the optimal dose of octreotide or the best mode of administration. The objectives of this work were to review previous literature to determine the outcomes of administering high doses of octreotide compared to lower dose regimens in neonates with chylothorax and to determine best practices.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using electronic databases using the key words neonates, chylothorax, and octreotide.

RESULTS

Octreotide has been administrated in doses ranging from 0.5μg/kg/h to > 20μg/kg/h. Both low- and high-doses of octreotide are effective in resolving chylothorax with little to no side effects. When side effects were reported, neonates experienced side effects that are less significant in nature and scope.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that the dose of octreotide in neonatal chylothorax can be titrated safely to a maximum of 20μg/kg/h without significant side effects.

Propranolol for the Treatment of Lymphatic Malformations in a Neonate - A Case Report and Review of Literature

Lymphatic malformations in neonates often manifest as a chylothorax, and although rare, morbidity and mortality can be significant. First-line treatment with medium-chain triglyceride-enriched formulas, or enteric rest with total parenteral nutrition, are not always successful. We describe the case of a premature neonate with trisomy 21 who presented with bilateral pleural effusions and a pericardial effusion that worsened with the initiation of enteral nutrition. Clinical improvement was not seen until the initiation of treatment with oral propranolol at a maximum dosage of 0.5 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours with extubation 8 days after propranolol initiation. Two case reports have described the use of propranolol in similar patients receiving 2 mg/kg/day; however, our experience is the first to report treatment success at a much lower dose. A review of the literature for alternative medication treatments uncovered numerous case reports and series documenting variable results with incongruent definitions of treatment success in a diverse patient population. The rarity of this disease state makes accrual of patients difficult and more robust treatment data unlikely. Therefore, selection of the optimal adjunctive treatment must be based on individual patient and disease state characteristics as well as safety and efficacy profile of the medication.

Combined Chylothorax and Chylous Ascites Complicating Liver Transplantation: A Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

Chyle leaks may occur as a result of surgical intervention. Chyloperitoneum, or chylous ascites after liver transplantation, is rare and the development of chylothorax after abdominal surgery is even more rare. With increasingly aggressive surgical resections, particularly in the retroperitoneum, the incidence of chyle leaks is expected to increase in the future. Here we present a unique case of a combined chylothorax and chyloperitoneum following liver transplantation successfully managed conservatively. Risk factors for chylous ascites include para-aortic manipulation, extensive retroperitoneal dissection, use of a Ligasure device, and early enteral feeding as well as early enteral feeding. The clinical presentation is typically insidious and may include painless abdominal distension. Diagnosis can be made by noting characteristic milky white drainage which on laboratory examination has a total fluid triglyceride level >110 mg/dl, an ascites/serum triglyceride ratio of >1 and a leukocyte count in fluid >1000/uL with a lymphocyte predominance. Chyle leaks may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Numerous management options exist, with conservative nonoperative measurements leading to the most consistent and successful outcomes. This includes a step-up approach beginning with dietary modifications to a low-fat or medium chain triglyceride diet followed by nil per os with addition of total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin analogues such as octreotide. Rarely do patients require more invasive treatment. Early recognition and appropriate management are imperative to mitigate this complication.

Analysis of the etiology and treatment of chylothorax in 119 pediatric patients in a single clinical center

PURPOSE

To summarize the etiology and treatment of 119 patients with chylothorax in our hospital.

METHODS

A total of 119 patients with chylothorax, divided into a neonate group, an infant group, and an older-than-1-year group, were included in our study and analyzed from January 2000 to July 2017 in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.

RESULTS

A total of 90 males and 29 females were included in our study. In the neonate group, 21 chylothorax cases were due to idiopathic factors, constituting 72.4% of the cases; 8 were related to cardiothoracic surgery, constituting 27.6%. In the infant group, 15 chylothorax cases were due to cardiothoracic surgery, constituting 55.6% of the cases; 11 were related to idiopathic factors, constituting 40.7%; and 1 was related to lymphoma, constituting 3.8%. In the older-than-1-year group, 33 chylothorax cases were due to idiopathic factors, constituting 52.4% of the cases; 25 were cardiothoracic surgery, constituting 39.7%; 2 were related to another internal medicine disease, constituting 3.2%; 2 were due to injury, constituting 3.2%; and 1 was related to lymphoma, constituting 1.6%. All the patients sequentially underwent thoracic drainage therapy, followed by fasting, thoracic injection of an adhesion-promoting agent, and thoracic duct ligation surgery. Among the neonates, 23 patients (79%) with fasting therapy improved, and 5 patients with fasting + intrapleural injection improved (17%). In the infant group, fasting promoted recovery in 14 patients, accounting for 51%, and fasting + thoracic injection improved the conditions of 10 patients, accounting for 37%. In the older-than-1-year group, fasting was effective in 35 patients, accounting for 55%; fasting + thoracic injection was effective in 22 patients, accounting for 34%; and fasting + thoracic injection + thoracic duct ligation surgery enabled the recovery of 2 patients, accounting for 3.2%.

CONCLUSION

In our center, the main causes of chylothorax in the neonates group are idiopathic factors but may also include a history of unspecified birth trauma; the proportions of idiopathic factors in the infant and older-than-1-year groups are also higher, but the iatrogenic factors are significantly increased in the latter 2 groups. All the patients underwent thoracic drainage therapy, and fasting promoted the recovery of most children. When fasting was ineffective, subsequent thoracic injections were effective. If the above two methods failed, surgery was a method of choice, but it was not always effective.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective study.

Neonatal Chylothoraces: A 10-Year Experience in a Tertiary Neonatal Referral Centre

Background

Neonatal chylothorax is a rare condition, but has a high mortality.

Study Objectives

To analyse the outcomes of a series of neonates with chylothorax and review the literature to determine best practice.

Design

A case series review and a literature review using electronic databases including the key words neonates and chylothorax.

Results

Six cases of neonatal chylothorax were identified during a ten-year period, two had congenital chylothoraces and four iatrogenic chylothoraces after thoracic surgery or chest instrumentation. The neonates were ventilated for a median of 30 (range 13–125) days with a median maximum daily pleural fluid output of 218 (range 86–310) ml/kg/day. All the neonates were given medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) feeds which stabilised pleural fluid output in four and reduced it in another. Octreotide was used in three neonates, but the dosage used had no significant effect on pleural output. Two neonates required surgical intervention. The literature review demonstrated MCT feeds can reduce or stabilise pleural fluid output, but highlighted variable use of octreotide and inconsistent dosing regimens and outcomes. No consensus regarding indications for surgical intervention was identified.

Summary and Conclusion

Neonatal chylothorax is uncommon, but affected neonates require high healthcare utilisation.

Octreotide Use in Neonates: A Case Series

Background and Objective

Octreotide is a somatostatin analogue and has been used off-label for a variety of conditions. There are no specific guidelines for the use of octreotide in neonates and its safety and efficacy have not been systematically evaluated. The objective of this study is to present our experience of using octreotide therapy in neonates.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of neonates who received octreotide therapy during their hospital stay over a 15 years period (2003–2017) in a tertiary neonatal centre. The demographic details and indications of octreotide therapy including time of initiation, route, dose, duration and adverse effects of therapy were noted. The clinical course following octreotide administration was also analysed.

Results

Eleven neonates received octreotide therapy during the study period, of which nine had chylothorax and two had chylous ascites. Resolution of the chylous effusion with octreotide therapy was achieved in 4 out of 11 (36.3%) of the cases. The median duration of octreotide therapy in cases with successful resolution was 17.5 days. With the exception of minor side effects such as hyperglycaemia, none of the patients had any significant side effects that required discontinuation of therapy.

Conclusion

Octreotide was used safely as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of chylothorax and chylous ascites in neonates. However, larger prospective controlled trials are required to establish the optimal dose, time of initiation, duration and efficacy of octreotide therapy in neonates.

Octreotide for congenital and acquired chylothorax in newborns: A systematic review

AIM

Chylothorax is a rare but life-threatening condition in newborns. Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, is widely used as a therapeutic option in neonates with congenital and acquired chylothorax, but its therapeutic role has not been clarified yet.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of octreotide in the treatment of congenital and acquired chylothorax in newborns. Comprehensive research, updated till 31 October 2017, was performed by searching in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases using the MeSH terms 'octreotide' and 'chylothorax'. Both term and preterm newborns with congenital or acquired chylothorax treated with octreotide within the 30th day of life were included. Octreotide treatment was considered effective if a progressive reduction/ceasing in drained chylous effusion occurred.

RESULTS

A total of 39 articles were included. Octreotide was effective in 47% of patients, with a slight but not significant difference between congenital (30/57; 53.3%) and acquired (9/27; 33.3%) chylothorax (P = 0.10). Marked variation in octreotide regimen was observed. The most common therapeutic scheme was intravenous infusion at a starting dose of 1 μg/kg/h, gradually increasing to 10 μg/kg/h according to the therapeutic response. Side effects were reported in 12 of 84 patients (14.3%). Only case reports were included in this review due to the lack of randomised controlled trials.

CONCLUSION

Octreotide is a relatively effective and safe treatment option in neonates with chylothorax, especially for the congenital forms.

The incidence of chylous ascites after liver transplantation and the proposal of a diagnostic and management protocol

BACKGROUND

No protocol has been established for the diagnosis and management of chylous ascites after liver transplantation (LT). In this study, we retrospectively reviewed our cases of posttransplant chylous ascites (PTCA) and aimed to propose a diagnostic and management protocol.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 96 LT recipients who underwent LT at our department. The incidence of PTCA and the associated risk factors were analyzed and our protocol for chylous ascites was evaluated.

RESULTS

PTCA occurred in 6 (6.3%) patients (mean age: 10.7±11.0years) at a mean of 10.8±3.6days after LT. The primary disease in all of PTCA cases was biliary atresia (BA). The periportal lymphadnopathy was an independent risk factor for PTCA. In all cases PTCA successfully resolved according to our protocol. Octreotide was administered in 4 of our 6 PTCA cases. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 40.2±8.4days, which was similar to that of cases without PTCA.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of PTCA in LT patients, especially in those with BA, is relatively high. Our diagnostic criteria and our management protocol were helpful for patients with refractory ascites after LT.

TYPE OF STUDY

Diagnostic test: Level II. Treatment study: Level III.

Congenital chylothorax

Congenital chylothorax (CC) results from multiple lymphatic vessel anomalies or thoracic cavity defects and may accompany other congenital anomalies. Fetal chylothorax may increase the risk of death and complications from pleural space lymphatic fluid accumulation, which compromises lung development, pulmonary, and cardiovascular function and from complications arising from the loss of drained lymphatic contents. Prenatal interventions might improve survival in severe cases of fetal chylothorax. The neonatal treatment strategy is generally supportive with interventions that include thoracostomy drainage and attempts to decrease chyle flow using a stepwise approach that begins with the least invasive means. Evidence-based treatment choices are lacking and are much needed. Most cases of CC resolve with time even without specific lymphatic system studies to identify the exact pathology. Expertise in performing lymphatic studies is not universally available. Data on both efficacy and safety of the various therapeutic options are needed to determine the best approach to the treatment of CC.

Effects of somatostatin/octreotide treatment in neonates with congenital chylothorax

The influence of somatostatin/octreotide treatment on outcomes of neonates with congenital chylothorax remains controversial. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with somatostatin/octreotide therapy in neonates with this very rare disease.Fourteen neonates with congenital chylothorax who were treated with somatostatin (3.5-7 μg/kg/h, before 2016) or octreotide (1-6 μg/kg/h, after January 2016), along with traditional management between 2013 and 2016, were retrospectively reviewed in this observational study. Their daily volumes of pleural drainage and parameters of respiratory support were recorded, and the potential side effects of somatostatin/octreotide were screened.Four patients (28.6%) had a unilateral presentation of pleural effusion, whereas 10 patients (71.4%) had a bilateral presentation. Twelve patients (85.7%) survived until discharge without later recurrence or death, whereas 2 patients (14.3%) died within the first 3 days after birth. Somatostatin/octreotide treatment was maintained for a median period of 6 days (range 1-16 days). The chest tube was removed after a median duration of 14 days (range 2-51 days), and no patient needed pleurodesis or thoracic duct ligation surgery. The average daily drain output within 3 days post-treatment (median 62 mL, range 10-651 mL) was significantly lower than that before treatment (median 133 mL, range 70-620 mL) (P = .002). The need for ventilation support was reduced in most patients (85.7%) after the initiation of somatostatin/octreotide therapy. No serious side effects were identified.Somatostatin/octreotide treatment reduced pleural drainage and respiratory support without significant side effects. Further randomized controlled studies with more patients are necessary to ascertain the benefits of somatostatin/octreotide in neonates with congenital chylothorax.

Spontaneous chylothorax revealing a mediastinal and abdominal lymph node tuberculosis

Chylothorax is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis. We report a case of spontaneous chylothorax due to tuberculosis. A 62-year-old woman was admitted with fever, chest pain and dyspnea. Chest and abdominal computed tomography revealed a fluid collection with necrotic mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes. Biopsy of lymph nodes by mediastinoscopy. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis medication. He is clinically improved and his pleural effusion also completely resolved.

Congenital Chylothorax: A Unique Presentation of Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis in a Preterm Infant

BACKGROUND

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis secondary to congenital chylothorax (CC) is a rare disease process associated with high morbidity and mortality related to abnormal formation of the lymphatic system and disrupted management of fetal fluid. Hydrops fetalis is typically diagnosed prenatally by the presence of pleural effusions or other fluid collection on ultrasonography. Congenital chylothorax is diagnosed when the analysis of pleural fluid is deemed chylous. Neonatal presentation is often respiratory distress secondary to lung compression or pulmonary hypoplasia. Management ranges from supportive medical management such as high-frequency ventilation, chest drainage, and nutrition support, to controversial therapies such as octreotide administration and chemical pleurodesis, to surgical interventions such as thoracic duct ligation and mechanical pleurodesis.

PURPOSE

To discuss a range of management techniques and supportive therapies for hydrops fetalis and CC.

METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY

PubMed and CINAHL were searched using the terms "hydrops fetalis," "congenital," "chylothorax," "neonate," and "preterm." Twenty-two English language articles published within the last five years were identified and included to determine the current body of evidence surrounding treatment options for hydrops fetalis and CC.

CASE FINDINGS

In this case, a preterm male infant presented at birth with prenatally known bilateral pleural effusions and ascites, later diagnosed as nonimmune hydrops fetalis secondary to CC. A combination of supportive medical management, octreotide therapy, and surgical intervention effectively resolved this infant's chylothorax and hydrops.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Antenatal intervention may be appropriate for some infants, otherwise supportive medical management including respiratory and nutrition therapies should be prioritized for infants born with hydrops fetalis and CC.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis secondary to CC presents a complex challenge for neonatal providers, as no definitive treatment strategy currently exists. Further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of controversial therapies including octreotide.

Thoracoscopic pleural clipping for the management of congenital chylothorax

PURPOSE

Medical management of congenital chylothoraces consists of total parental nutrition and tube thoracostomy. However, these infants are exposed to significant fluid shifts and the related leukopenia carries a high infection risk. The purpose of this review is to describe the technique of parietal pleural clipping as a surgical treatment of congenital chylothorax.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients with a chylothorax diagnosis during the study period of January 2002 to April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Six of 14 infants identified underwent thoracoscopic parietal pleural clipping to disrupt the pleural lymphatic channel flow as visualization of the thoracic duct and lymphatics was not possible. Nearly all surgical patients had bilateral disease (5/6). Resolution of chylous leakage was dramatic following parietal clipping. In the surgical patients, chest tube output 2 days prior to surgery averaged 86.96 ml/kg/day. After parietal clipping, chest tube output dropped to an average of 6.5 ml/kg/day on post op day 2. Thereafter, chest tube output remained low to negligible and chest tubes were removed variably as enteral feeds were started.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a straightforward technique of thoracoscopic parietal pleural clipping as a safe and successful option for treatment of congenital chylothoraces.

Low Dose of Octreotide Can be Helpful in the Management of Congenital Chylothorax

Introduction:

A rare condition in newborns called congenital chylothorax (CC) occurs when lymphatic fluid accumulates within the pleural cavity. Here is a presentation of a birth traumatic case with bilateral pleural effusion successfully treated by octreotide.

Case Presentation:

A 3100-g-term male newborn delivered vaginally from a 33-year-old mother was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with respiratory distress signs. Early chest x-ray (CXR) showed bilateral pleural effusion. The thoracentesis pleural fluid had been drained with these characteristics: glucose: 1.9425 mmol/l, protein: 11 g/l, cholesterol: 1.295 mmol/l, and triglycerides: 3.39 mmol/l. Counts of red blood cells and white blood cells were 10,000 and 2500 per Cu/mm, respectively; so, congenital chylothorax was diagnosed and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were initiated. Accumulation of plural fluid was approximately stopped after begging TPN for two weeks. Therefore, we started feeding with a medium chain triglyceride (MCT), but plural effusion was seen once again and we had to restart TPN. We decided to start octreotide subcutaneously (1 μg/kg/day). Finally, the CXR and ultrasound ’did not show any pleural effusion in both sides and the ultrasound done in the third month showed no pleural effusion either.

Conclusions:

Octreotide therapy as one of the conservative managements for CC can be considered before surgical methods. This treatment method also had some effects on the feeding initiation time and helped us to start feeding sooner. However, more studies like clinical trials are still necessary to investigate all aspects of octreotide treatment to determine the amount of its dose, initiation time, treatment duration, etc.

Chylothorax and chylous ascites: management and pitfalls

Leakage of lymph from the lymphatic ducts causes chylothorax (CT) or chylous ascitis (CA). This may happen for unknown reasons during fetal life or after birth and may also be caused by trauma after thoracic surgery or by other conditions. Fetal CT and CA may be lethal particularly in cases with fetal hydrops that sometimes benefit of intra-uterine instrumentation. After birth, symptoms are related to the amount of accumulated fluid. Sometimes, severe cardio-respiratory compromise prompts active therapy. Most patients with CT or CA benefit from observation, rest, and supportive measures alone. Drainage of the fluid may be necessary, but then loss of protein, fat, and lymphoid cells introduce new risks and require careful replacement. Low-fat diets with MCT and parenteral nutrition decrease fluid production while allowing adequate nutritional input. If lymph leakage does not stop, secretion inhibitors like somatostatin or octreotide are prescribed, although there is only weak evidence of their benefits. Imaging of the lymphatic system is indicated when the leaks persist, but this is technically demanding in children. Shunting of the lymph from one body space to another by means of valved catheters, embolization of the thoracic duct, and/or ligation of the major lymphatics may occasionally be indicated in cases refractory to all other treatments.

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasis

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasis (CPL) is a rare vascular malformation causing dilated lymph vessels and disturbed drainage of lymph fluid. Based on the pathogenesis and clinical phenotype it can be classified as primary or secondary CPL. Associated genetic syndromes with or without lymphedema, familial occurrence and gene mutations have been described. In utero, it may present as non-immune hydrops with pleural effusions. At birth neonates may have respiratory failure due to chylothorax and pulmonary hypoplasia, causing very high short term mortality rates. Other cases may become symptomatic any time later in childhood or even during adult life. CPL is usually diagnosed based on the combination of clinical signs, imaging and histological findings. Open-lung biopsy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CPL. Treatment is primarily supportive featuring aggressive mechanical ventilation and the management of problems associated with congenital chylothorax including chest-drainage, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) diet, and octreotide.

[Congenital chylothorax: rapid and complete response to polyvidone iodine]

Idiopathic congenital chylothorax refers to abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space due the disruption of the thoracic duct or its lymphatic tributaries. It is a relatively rare disease and a cause of neonatal respiratory distress with major nutritional and immunological consequences. Therefore, it is critical to decrease pleural effusion promptly. Conservative treatment is always started as soon as the diagnosis is made, and refractory cases require chemical pleurodesis or surgery. However, the choice and timing of therapeutic escalation is not clear in the neonatal period and long waiting periods may have adverse consequences for the baby. We report a case of congenital idiopathic chylothorax who did not respond to conservative treatment after 18 days in whom one intrapleural injection of 5 mL of 4% concentrated Betadine stopped the pleural effusion promptly, effectively, and definitively, with no side effects observed, thus challenging such delayed administration.

An idiopathic congenital chylothorax: surgery or conservative management?

A 3-month-old infant was admitted to the respiratory unit for dyspnoea and vomiting after her second DTaP-Polio vaccine shot. The chest X-rays showed a white right lung with a left mediastinal shift. A pleural aspiration assessed the diagnosis of chylothorax. A conservative treatment was initiated with a fat-free diet and pleural aspirations. As this treatment was ineffective, a total parenteral nutrition was started at day 11, plus increasing doses of Octreotide. As the chylothorax persisted at day 50, a pleuroperitoneal shunting was performed but a pleurodesis was finally necessary. The child was discharged from the hospital 6 weeks after the surgery. Ten months later, her physical and biological conditions were normal and her chest X-rays dramatically improved. This case highlights the difficult management of infant chylothorax. Although conservative treatment has to be tried first, surgical procedures as pleuroperitoneal shunting and rarely pleurodesis have to be discussed.

Chylothorax in infants and children

Chylothorax, the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, is a relatively rare cause of pleural effusion in children. It can cause significant respiratory morbidity, as well as lead to malnutrition and immunodeficiency. Thus, a chylothorax requires timely diagnosis and treatment. This review will first discuss the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and discuss various causes that can lead to development of a chylothorax in infants and children. Then, methods of diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed. Finally, complications of chylothorax will be reviewed.

Simultaneous chylothorax and chylous ascites due to tuberculosis

Chylothorax or chylous ascites is rare manifestation of tuberculosis. We report a case of simultaneous chylothorax and chylous ascites due to tuberculosis. A 17-year-old girl was admitted with fever, abdominal distention and dyspnea. Chest and abdominal computed tomography revealed bilateral pleural effusion, multifocal nodular consolidation on both lung fields and copious ascites and multiple necrotic lymphadenopathy in the abdominal cavity. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from sputum and pleural fluid. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis medication. Pleural effusion and ascites improved with the medication.

Congenital chylothorax: associations and neonatal outcomes

AIM

Congenital chylothorax is a rare but significant neonatal entity with major morbidity and mortality. The study aims to describe the related associations, management and outcomes of this condition in neonates.

METHODS

This is a retrospective case series of all cases of congenital chylothorax admitted to a tertiary neonatal centre in the last 15 years.

RESULTS

Ten cases of congenital chylothorax were identified. Eight infants were diagnosed antenatally and three infants had antenatal pleural drainage. Most infants were ventilated at birth and required immediate pleurocentesis. Post-natal management included drainage of fluid, ventilation, albumin replacement, octreotide and dietary modification with medium-chain triglyceride-enriched formula. Five infants had chromosomal aberrations identified, while a further two had dysmorphic features not substantiated with routine genetic testing. Noonan's syndrome was the single most common underlying genetic diagnosis. Associated anomalies and malformations were present in 80% of the cohort. There were two deaths in the series, both in infants with multiple co-morbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital chylothorax is a rare condition with overall prevalence of less than a case per year in our experience. Majority of infants had associated chromosomal anomalies and significant co-morbidities needing prolonged intensive care.

Treatment options in patients with chylothorax

BACKGROUND

Chylothorax arises when lymphatic fluid (chyle) accumulates in the pleural cavity because of leakage from lymphatic vessels. It is most commonly seen after thoracic surgery (in 0.5% to 1% of cases) and in association with tumors. No prospective or randomized trials have yet been performed to evaluate the available treatment options.

METHOD

This review is based on a selective search of the PubMed database for pertinent publications from the years 1995 to 2013. Emphasis was laid on articles that enabled a comparative assessment of treatment options.

RESULTS

Initial conservative treatment (e.g., parenteral nutrition or a special diet) succeeds in 20% to 80% of cases. When such treatment fails, the standard approach up to the present has been to treat surgically, e.g., with ligation of the thoracic duct, pleurodesis, or a pleuroperitoneal shunt. The success rates of such procedures have ranged from 25% to 95%. Most of the patients undergoing such procedures are severely ill; complication rates as high as 38% have been reported, with mortality as high as 25%. In more recent publications, however, morbidity and mortality were lower. Interventional radiological treatments, such as percutaneous thoracic duct embolization or the percutaneous destruction of lymphatic vessels, succeed in about 70% of cases and lead to healing in up to 80% of cases, even after unsuccessful surgery. The complication rate of percutaneous methods is roughly 3%.

CONCLUSION

Interventional radiological procedures have now taken their place alongside conservative treatment and surgery in the management of chylothorax, although they are currently available in only a small number of centers.