Chylothorax complicating Gorham's disease

Gorham's disease is a rare disorder characterized by a proliferation of thi n-walled lymphatic vessels (lymphangiectasia) resulting in an osteolysis. A chylothorax is present in about one-fifth of the patients and carries a po or prognosis. In this circumstance, surgery including thoracic duct ligatio n, pleurodesis, and excision of involved tissue is probably the treatment o f choice. It is facilitated by a precise radiological assessment using a co mputed tomographic scanning coupled with a lymphography. We report such a c ase. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.