THE LIPOPROTEIN PROFILE OF CHYLOUS AND NON-CHYLOUS PLEURAL EFFUSIONS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (11) , 700-704
Abstract
Lipoprotein electrophoregrams and the cholesterol and triglyceride levels of the pleural fluid were evaluated for patients with chylous pleural effusions, as defined by the presence of a distinctive band of chylomicrons on the lipoprotein electrophoregram and in patients with nonchylous effusions of various causes. Patients [141] were studied for 3 yr. The chylous effusions had strikingly higher triglyceride levels (median 249, range 49-2270 mg/dl) than the nonchylous group (median 33, range 13-107 mg/dl); there were no significant differences in cholesterol or protein between the 2 groups. The gross description of the fluid was a poor indicator of its origin, being described as consistent with chyle in less than 50% of cases of chylous effusions. Triglyceride values distinguished chylous effusion from nonchylous effusion; values greater than 110 mg/dl are highly suggestive of a chylous effusion. Equivocal cases, i.e., triglyceride values between 50-110 mg/dl, required lipoprotein analysis. Pleural effusions of undetermined cause, regardless of gross appearance of the fluid, require that a screening triglyceride value be obtained to rule out a chylous effusion.

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