Abstract

A 72 year old female, who was previously investigated in another medical centre, presented with left sided pleural effusion, cough and dyspnea of three months duration. On chest roentgenogram, a left sided pleural opacity up to the level of the fourth rib was noted. On chest computerized tomography (CT), paratracheal and paraaortic lymph nodes ranging between 1-2 cm and left sided pleural effusion were determined. We performed thoracentesis. The appearance of pleural fluid was chylous. Cholesterol was 96 mg/dl, triglyceride 1750 mg/dl, LDH 253 IU/l, glucose 80 mg/dl, and albumin 3.2 gr/dl in the pleural fluid. Pleural fluid ARB was negative. There was no history of trauma, but she was complaining of severe cough at the time of initial presentation. Talc pleuredesis was performed after tube thoracostomy. Mediastinoscopy was performed 15 days after the pleuredesis to determine the diagnosis. Pathology revealed granulomatous lymphadenitis without necrosis. Tuberculin skin test was negative. We evaluated the case as sarcoidosis complicated with chylothorax. The patient was discharged for follow up. There was no progression at the end of the eighth month. The case has been presented because sarcoidosis complicated with chylothorax has been rarely reported in the literature. (Tur Toraks Der 2011; 12: 117-9)