A strange bullet which caused chylomediastinum and chyloptysis.

Chyloptysis and chylomediastinum are uncommon complications of various kinds of thoracic operations, malign and nonmalign diseases. In the English language medical literature, there were no cases of both chylomediastinum and chyloptysis following trauma. We discuss a case of chylomediastinum and chyloptysis after penetrating trauma. The patient sustained a bullet wound that caused chylomediastinum and chyloptysis without damaging major structures apart from the thoracic duct in the mediastinum. Following surgical intervention, the patient has remained problem-free for 5 months. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.