Massive unilateral chylous pleural effusion: a rare initial presentation of Behcet's disease

Husain SJ, Sadiq F, Zubairi AB, Khan JA
Correspondence: Prof Javaid A Khan, javaid.khan@aku.edu

ABSTRACT
Pulmonary manifestations of Behcet's disease are not very common and usually include pulmonary artery aneurysms, central venous thrombosis, pneumonia and pleurisy. Chylothorax secondary to superior vena caval obstruction is a rare complication and has been reported in only a few cases. We report a case of a 24-year-old man presenting with massive chylothorax as the initial presentation of Behcet's disease that was successfully treated conservatively.

Keywords: Behcet’s disease, chylothorax, pleural effusion, superior vena cava thrombosis
Singapore Med J 2006; 47(11): 978-980