Il chilotorace congenito e acquisito. Congenital and acquired chylothorax

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Chylothorax in paediatric age is a life-threatening clinical entity that cause serious respiratory, nutritional and immunologic complications. Chylothorax in the absence of trauma or tumour is uncommon and lymphangiomatosis of the bone, although extremely rare, has been associated with these condition. The authors describe the case of a two-year-old girl who presented with a massive chylothorax associated with hip and paravertebral lymphangioma and spread lymphangiomatosis of the spine. The authors also review the literature and their experience of congenital and postoperative chylothorax in order to establish guidelines for the diagnosis and management of both primary and postoperative chylothorax in paediatric age.

METHODS: From 1990 and 1999, 14 children had chylothorax. 9 patients had pleural effusion after surgical procedure, 5 patients had congenital chylothorax (both in prenatal and neonatal time), one of whom with bone lymphangiomatosis associated.

RESULTS: Postoperative chylothorax has been successfully treated by conservative approach (starvation, total parenteral nutrition and chest tube) in 6 out of 7 cases (two patients died because of complex cardiac malformation). Conservative approach is useful in case of congenital chylothorax, but not with bone lymphangiomatosis associated.

CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative and congenital chylothorax is well managed with conservative treatment. Chylothorax with bone lymphangiomatosis associated needs early and aggressive surgical approach.