investigations
Last reviewed 01/2018
- Chest radiology reveals an unencapsulated pleural effusion.
- Aspirates are creamy and opalescent. Once obtained, there is rapid reaccumulation of chyle. Repeated aspiration may cause protein and lymphocyte depletion.
- Microscopic examination of the aspirate shows a predominance of lymphocytes which is characteristically sterile due to the bacteriostatic nature of lymph.