Chylothorax complicating a thoracic aortic aneurysm

Chylothorax is an uncommon condition, usually associated with advanced malignant disease or trauma to the thoracic duct. Idiopathic chylothorax and other diverse causes have been anecdotally reported. We describe a rare case of chylothorax, developing as a result of damage to the thoracic duct by a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Tetracycline pleurodesis was successful in controlling the chylous effusion.