Spontaneous, post-operative and traumatic chylothorax.

Study of the malformation of the chyliferous vessels, malformations of Pecquet's cistern or of the thoracic duct has brought out the nature of the physiopathology of spontaneous chylothorax: it is the result of a rupture of a lymphatic of the diaphragm, mediastinum, or lung. Post-operative chylothorax is due to a lesion of the thoracic duct or of one of its branches.