A Case of Chylopericardium Secondary to the Superior Vena Cava Syndrome in Behcet's Disease / 대한류마티스학회지

ABSTRACT

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with oral aphthous ulcer, genital ulcer and uveitis. Vascular lesions in BD can affect all types and sizes of vessels. The venous thrombosis, which is uncommon feature of other vasculitis, is relatively common clinical manifestation of BD. Sometimes the cardiovascular involvement in BD results in serious complications as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. We report a 41-year-old male patient who suffered BD and presented massive chylopericardium due to the superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. After thrombectomy of SVC, the highly productive left-sided chylothorax and restenosis of anastomosis site at SVC had occurred, which were successfully treated by the ligation of the thoracic duct and balloon-stent angioplasty. We discussed the mechanism and treatment of chylopericardium in SVC syndrome, and the possible complications after the surgical management.