Chylothorax as a complication of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia with a patient’s perspective

Abstract

Chylothorax has rarely been reported as a pleuropulmonary complication of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM). In general, when a unilateral effusion is discovered particularly in patients with a history of cancer or active malignancy, a broad differential including chylothorax needs to be considered. We present the case of a 50-year-old woman found to have chylothorax secondary to progression of WM as confirmed by cytology and presence of MYD88 L265P mutation in the pleural fluid specimen and subsequent resolution with chemotherapy. This review centres particularly on non-traumatic causes of chylothorax with a focus on WM and includes a unique patient perspective.