Chylous ascites and chylothorax: a case study

Case Report

A 40-year-old male patient was admitted with the symptoms of progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, and abdominal distension of 2 months duration. On examination, vitals were as follows: BP 100/80 mmHg, pulse rate 120/min, and respiratory rate 36/min. He had small bilaterally supraclavicular nodes, a large right axillary lymph node, and the jugular venous pressure was elevated. On auscultation, breath sounds were decreased over both lung bases and heart sounds were only faintly audible. The clinical signs suggestive of free fluid were present in the abdomen.

Laboratory findings revealed elevated serum creatinine (2.0 mg/dl) with normal hematocrit, liver function test (LFT), and electrolyte. Chest X-ray posteroanterior (PA) view showed bilateral pleural effusion and pericardial effusion. Thoracocentesis yielded a milky fluid with the following biochemical composition: total protein 3.6 g/dl, albumin 2.0 g/dl, glucose 118 mg/dl, and LDH 121 U/l. Cell count of the fluid showed 1,300/mm³ of WBCs; of which 96% were lymphocytes and 4% polymorphs, triglycerides 411 mg/dl, cholesterol 70 mg/dl, and chylomicron 260 mg/dl. Pleural fluid cytology showed atypical cells and closed pleural biopsy revealed non-specific chronic inflammation. Cultures of the fluid including mycobacterial culture, of peritoneal and pleural fluid were non-contributory. Two dimensional (2D) ECHO-cardiograph showed moderate pericardial effusion with collapse of right atrium and right ventricle, suggesting cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis was done immediately which revealed hemorrhagic fluid. Pericardial fluid cytology showed atypical cells suggestive of malignancy, although biochemical analysis confirmed that it was not chylous. The fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the axillary lymph node revealed signet ring cell adenocarcinoma (Fig. 1). Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax was done after thoracocentesis to find out the possible etiology. It showed bilateral pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, paratracheal, and mediastinal lymph nodes up to 8 mm with a calcified granuloma in the left upper lobe (Fig. 2). FNAC of these lymph nodes were not done in view of smaller size of lymphnode. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT of the abdomen showed left sided hydorneprhosis with moderate ascites. No lymphadenopathy or tumors were detected during abdominal CT. Other investigations to locate primary such as fiberoptic bronchoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, and colonoscopy could not be done due to unfavorable physical condition. The final diagnosis was metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of unknown primary with chylothorax, chylous ascites, and probably malignant pericardial effusion.

Fig. 1.  Showing signet ring cell adenocarcinoma under high power field.

Fig. 2.  Showing bilateral plerual effusion and pericardial effusion.

During hospital stay, patient required repeated thoracocentesis and pericardiocentesis. He was started on low cholesterol diet with medium chain triglyceride supplements. To minimize nutritional depletion, intercostal tube was not inserted. In view of poor prognosis the patient and his family opted for treatment at their hometown. He was thus sent home with recommendations to commence treatment with a local palliative care unit.

Discussion

Chyle is described as being white, milky, or opalescent in appearance. This characteristic color is seen in less than one half of patients with chylous effusion 12. Pleural-ascitic fluid triglyceride level of more than 110 mg/dl generally confirm the diagnosis of chylothorax or chylous ascites 17. Chylous pleural effusion (Chylothorax) is usually secondary to disruption of the thoracic duct or derangement of lymphatic flow within the thorax 1345. Chylous ascites is associated most frequently with malignant conditions such as lymphomas and disseminated carcinomas from primaries in the pancreas, breast, colon, prostate, ovary, testes, and kidney 8. In some patients, chylothorax occurs in the setting of chylous ascites, which in turn is related to a primary abdominal process such as nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism, cirrhosis of the liver, abdominal operations, and pancreatitis 1. In our patient, CT of thorax and abdomen were not contributory.

The treatment of the chylothorax and chylous ascites usually involves the treatment of the underlying cause. Malignant chylous serositis requires specific therapy directed at the primary cause with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery with supportive therapy 8. Treatment of chylous pleural effusions with chest tube thoracotomy and pleurodesis has had limited success regardless of the sclerosing agent used. It also usually requires prolonged drainage, which could lead to nutritional and immune compromises 9.

Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is most common in the stomach followed by the colon 11. There is only one report where primary have been found in the lung 10. In our patient the primary was unknown. However, in view of poor general condition of the patient invasive procedures like endoscopy or bronchoscopy were not possible.

Chylothorax with chylous ascites associated with pericardial effusion is a rare finding. If the cause is malignancy, it is difficult to treat. There are only few published case reports of chylothorax and chylous ascites occurring together. Among them, one case of chylothorax with chylous ascites due to metastatic carcinoma of lung, one due to constrictive pericarditis, and the rest due to metastatic carcinoma of stomach 6912. We would like to conclude that chylothorax with chylous ascites in background of malignant pericardial effusion is a rare scenario.

Conflict of interest and funding

This work was conducted at Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India. The authors have not received any funding or benefits from industry to conduct this study.