Chylothorax associated with a congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a dog.

Abstract

A 2-year-old dog was presented with a 3-month history of increasing respiratory effort and rate, inappetence, and lethargy. Chest radiographs demonstrated significant pleural effusion, which was consistent with chyle on biochemical and cytological evaluations. Further diagnostic evaluation, including a thoracic computed tomographic scan, revealed a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) resulting in a large, fat-attenuating mass within the pericardium. The dog was taken to surgery for repair of the PPDH, pericardectomy, and cisterna chyli ablation. Rapid and permanent resolution of the chylothorax occurred postoperatively. This is the first reported case of chylothorax secondary to PPDH.