[Chylothorax: an unexpected complication of artificial ventilation in severe acute asthma]. / Une complication inattendue de l'asthme aigu grave sous ventilation artificielle: le chylothorax.

INTRODUCTION: Complications of mechanical ventilation for severe acute asthma are common and are related essentially to barotrauma. However, the incidence has declined in recent years thanks to different techniques of ventilation. CASE REPORT: We report a case of spontaneous chylothorax occurring during the course of ventilation in a patient with severe acute asthma where the ventilatory parameters were in accordance with current recommendations. Recovery was straightforward with resolution of the chylothorax and no recurrence either immediately or later. Exhaustive clinical, biological and morphological investigations failed to find any cause other than the mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION: This case of chylothorax may be considered as a rare barotraumatic complication of severe acute asthma.