Idiopathic chylopericardium: 131-I-triolein scan for noninvasive diagnosis.

We report idiopathic chylopericardium in a physically active, asymptomatic 29-year-old man. Preoperative diagnosis was made by external cardiac imaging after oral administration of 131-I-labeled triolein. To our knowledge this is the first report of preoperative noninvasive diagnosis of chylopericardium. After open drainage and pericardial biopsy, the patient is asymptomatic without recurrence after 8 months.