Chylopericarditis is an uncommon condition that is usually associated with damage to the thoracic duct.
Features:
(1) presence of chyle in the pericardial cavity
(2) often associated with chylothorax
(3) often associated with pericarditis
Causes:
(1) damage to the thoracic duct from trauma or surgery
(2) congenital lymphangiomatosis
(3) radiation therapy
(4) subclavian vein thrombosis
(5) mediastinal neoplasm
(6) acute pancreatitis
(7) tuberculosis or deep fungal infection
(8) primary chylopericardium
Differential diagnosis:
(1) cholesterol pericarditis (associated with tuberculosis or remote hemorrhage)
(2) TPN fluid from misplaced catheter
