A Case of Pseudochylothorax Developed from Chronic Pleural Effusion after Treatment of Tuberculous Pleurisy / 결핵및호흡기질환

ABSTRACT

A pseudochylothorax, a chyliform pleural effusion, is a rare disease of pleural effusion that contains cholesterol crystals or high lipid content that is not the result of a disrupted thoracic duct. Most of the cases were found in patients with long-standing pleural effusion due to chronic inflammatory disease, such as old tuberculous pleurisy or chronic rheumatoid pleurisy. We experienced a case of pseudochylothorax in a 74-year-old man, who was being treated for pulmonary tuberculosis and pleurisy 10 years ago. The diagnosis was confirmed on pathological study of the pleural effusion, which contained cholesterol crystals having a diagnostic rhomboid appearance.