Pseudochylothorax

Q: What is Pseudochylothorax?

Answer: Chylothorax must be distinguished from pseudochylothorax, or cholesterol pleurisy, which results from the accumulation of cholesterol crystals in a chronic existing effusion. 

The most common causes of pseudochylothorax are

• chronic rheumatoid pleurisy
• tuberculosis 
• poorly treated empyema

#pulmonary

References:

1. Braun CM, Ryu JH. Chylothorax and Pseudochylothorax. Clin Chest Med. 2021 Dec;42(4):667-675. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2021.08.003. PMID: 34774173.

2. Lama A, Ferreiro L, Toubes ME, Golpe A, Gude F, Álvarez-Dobaño JM, González-Barcala FJ, San José E, Rodríguez-Núñez N, Rábade C, Rodríguez-García C, Valdés L. Characteristics of patients with pseudochylothorax-a systematic review. J Thorac Dis. 2016 Aug;8(8):2093-101. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2016.07.84. PMID: 27621864; PMCID: PMC4999702.