Bilateral Chylothorax Secondary to Retrosternal Goitre: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

Chylothorax is characterized by an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the pleural cavity due to damage to the thoracic duct. The aetiology can be traumatic or non-traumatic. Goitre is a rare cause of chylothorax with only eight cases previously described in the literature including only one case causing a bilateral chylothorax. This report describes a patient with bilateral chylothorax secondary to substernal goitre, which was successfully treated, and discusses this very rare case in light of the available literature. LEARNING POINTS: Pleural ultrasound and aspiration is important in bilateral pleural effusions unresponsive to diuretic treatment, or of dubious origin. The aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of a chylothorax are described. Goitre can cause chylothorax by damaging the thoracic duct.