[Spontaneous chylothorax. Apropos of a further case].

The authors describe a case of spontaneous chylothorax occurring in a 50-year-old woman after stretching exercises of the upper limbs. A positive diagnosis was made based on pleural aspirate and a biochemical study of the pleural liquid (triglycerides > 3 gm/l). The chylothorax is said to be spontaneous when detailed investigations are negative. The outcome was satisfactory with complete regression of the symptoms after pleural aspirate and a low diet in long chain triglycerides but the authors recall that treatment may be surgical in cases of multiple recurrence.