A case of chylothorax following thoracic vertebral fracture

Abstract

Occurrence of chylothorax following blunt trauma chest is usually rare. The possible presence of an underlying hemothorax or an empyema makes the diagnosis difficult in blunt trauma setting. We report a case of chylothorax following blunt trauma chest, diagnosed three days after, admission secondary to thoracic vertebral fracture. This case is being presented to emphasize the importance of occult thoracic spine injuries in a case of blunt trauma chest, and to have a high index of suspicion for the proper diagnosis of chylothorax in such cases.

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