Chronic Chyluria: A Clinical Study of 3 Patients

Abstract

Studies of patients with chyluria or chylothorax have demonstrated significant disruptions of protein, blood and fat metabolism that may result in iron deficiency anemia, hypoproteinemia, hypolipidemia and malnutrition. To document the sequential development of these complications we performed serial clinical and biochemical studies for 2 to 12 years in 3 patients with presumed filarial chyluria whose sole treatment had been diethylcarbamazine. Despite the chronic loss of chyle in the urine these 3 patients did not have significant complications during the period of observation. The weight and blood pressure remained stable. No persistent anemia, hypoproteinemia or hypolipidemia was noted. Except for 1 patient in whom a transient decrease of the creatinine clearance developed during pregnancy, no permanent renal function impairment occurred. These observations suggest that chronic chyluria may not always result in serious alterations of the physical status or body functions of these patients requiring surgical repair, and supports the hypothesis that untreated chyluria could be a relatively benign process in our milieu.

Is povidone iodine an alternative to silver nitrate for renal pelvic instillation sclerotherapy in chyluria?

“…W. bancrofti infestation is responsible for >95% of parasitic chyluria in endemic regions like India, and considered to be the causative agent until proved otherwise [9,15]. In the present study, only 15 (14%) patients had a history suggestive of past filarial fever and none of the other patients could be associated with other causes, despite detailed investigations.…”

CT Diagnosis of Chyluria After Partial Nephrectomy

“…Treated patients usually have an excellent outcome. Patients with mild intermittent chyluria do not always need surgical therapy, and a conservative approach may be considered [7,9]. None of our patients experienced hypoproteinemia, and none needed surgery for chyluria.…”

“…Patients with chronic chyluria can experience hypoproteinemia, hypolipidemia, and loss of immune competence [7]. As a result, surgical ligation of the lymphatic channels may be necessary.…”

An unusual cause of chyluria after radiofrequency ablation of a renal cell carcinoma: a case report

“…Early recognition would allow prompt diagnosis of chyluria. As chyluria can vary from no symptoms to hypoproteinemia, hypolipidemia and impaired immune function, prompt diagnosis would allow timely management of symptoms [8]. Usually, symptomatic patients report milky-white urine, and fat can be detected on urine analysis.…”