Intrapleural nitrogen mustard for treating chylous effusion of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Abstract

A case history is presented of a 31-year-old woman with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis who developed a catastrophic right sided chylous pleural effusion. The effusion was completely controlled by intrapleural instillation of nitrogen mustard (10 mg at weekly intervals for 3 doses). Subsequent “congestion” of the right lower lung field was then controlled by periodic injections of a diuretic. This is the 35th case report of this condition in the literature. Cancer 33:1505–1511, 1974.