An Unusual Complication of Internal Jugular Vein Catheterization: Chylothorax

Abstract

Background: Infection and vascular occlusion are common catheter-related complications in patients with central venous catheters. Case Report: A hemodialysis patient presented at the emergency department with frequent shortness of breath. Diffuse pleural fluid was observed on the right side in a computerized tomography image of the chest. Thoracentesis was performed, a chest tube was inserted to treat chylothorax, and a triglyceride diet was administered. On the 13th day of hospitalization, the chest tube was removed and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed with successful results. Conclusion: Chylothorax should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of hemodialysis patients with hypervolemia symptoms. Thoracentesis can aid in the diagnosis.