Bilateral Chylothorax Following Total Thyroidectomy with Neck Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Case report

Abstract

Bilateral chylothorax is a rare entity that occurs after a thyroidectomy and neck dissection. This rare condition can lead to severe morbidity, and potentially death, if not managed properly. We report a rare complication of neck surgery and subsequent bilateral pleural effusion, regarding a 35-year-old female who presented at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in 2018 with shortness of breath and respiratory distress. Particularly, the bilateral pleural effusion and related symptoms occurred one week after a total thyroidectomy with central and left lateral neck dissection. Intraoperative findings, management and literature review will be discussed.

Keywords: chylothorax, thyroid cancer, papillary, thyroidectomy, neck dissection, Case report; Oman.