NYMC Faculty Publications

A Rare Case of Membranous Nephropathy Complicated by Chylothorax

Author Type(s)

Resident/Fellow, Faculty

DOI

10.12890/2024_004631

Journal Title

European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Department

Medicine

Keywords

chylothorax, Membranous nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: Chylothorax can be classified into traumatic and nontraumatic based on the etiology. Nephrotic syndrome is a very rare cause of nontraumatic chylothorax in adults. Case presentation: A 66-year-old woman with membranous nephropathy who was non-compliant with her management, presented with dyspnea, and was found to have a large right sided chylothorax. Her chylothorax was secondary to membranous nephropathy after excluding other causes, which has been rarely reported in literature. Conclusion: This case highlights the possibility of nephrotic syndrome causing chylothorax, especially in patients with undiagnosed nephrotic syndrome or patients non-compliant with their management. When evaluating a patient with chylothorax, providers should consider nephrotic syndrome in the differential diagnosis.

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