Is bilateral chylothorax possible after simple cough? Yes

Chylothorax is accumulation of chylous fluid in the pleural space due to impaired integrity of the thoracic duct or its branches. In childhood, the causes differ from those in adults because children less frequently develop malignancies and are more resistant to trauma. Commonly, chylothorax occurs as a complication of tumoral invasion or cardiopulmonary surgery. Treatment of chylothorax is essentially medical. In the event of medical treatment failure or a massive effusion, surgery is needed. We describe the case of a 65-year-old woman who developed bilateral chylothorax after a simple cough. She was treated with a medium-chain triglyceride diet and thoracentesis.