Isolated primary chylopericardium: a case report.

ABSTRACT

Isolated primary chylopericardium is a rare entity with an obscure etiology. The authors report a 10-week-old male infant presenting with tachypnea and enlarged cardiac silhouette. Echocardiography revealed a large pericardial effusion. A specific diagnosis of chylopericardium was made by pericardiocentesis and analysis of the fluid. Despite the pericardial tube drainage and medium-chain triglyceride diet, pericardial effusion reaccumulated. Ligation of the thoracic duct with the establishment of a pleuropericardial window was performed through a left thoracotomy. Follow-up echocardiograms have shown no reaccumulation of the pericardial fluid.