Chylothoraces After Lung Transplantation for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: Review of the Literature and Utilization of a Pleurovenous Shunt

Fremont, Richard D.; Milstone, Aaron P.; Light, Richard W.; Ninan, Mathew

doi:10.1016/j.healun.2007.07.008

« Previous Next »The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Volume 26, Issue 9 , Pages 953-955, September 2007

Chylothoraces After Lung Transplantation for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: Review of the Literature and Utilization of a Pleurovenous Shunt

Richard D. Fremont, MD
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
- Reprint requests: Richard D. Fremont, MD, Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, T1218 MCN, 1161 21st Avenue S, Nashville, TN 37232-2650. Telephone: 615-322-3412. Fax: 615-343-8780.
Aaron P. Milstone, MD
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
Richard W. Light, MD
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
- Disclosure: R.W.L. has previously owned stock in Denver Biomedical, and that he is currently a speaker for Cardinal Health.
Mathew Ninan, MD
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.

Received 21 March 2007; received in revised form 4 June 2007; accepted 3 July 2007.

Chylous effusions are a well-described complication of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) in both pre- and post-transplant patients. Chylous effusions can cause significant morbidity among patients and most treatment modalities have limitations to complete success. We describe the use of a pleurovenous shunt to treat a refractory chylous effusion in a patient after lung transplant for LAM. After shunt placement, the patient had complete resolution of the chylous effusion and subsequent discharge home after a prolonged hospitalization. The use of a pleurovenous shunt for refractory chylous effusions is a viable option after conventional therapy fails.