Blunt trauma-induced bilateral chylothorax

This report describes the case of a man who presented in a delayed manner after blunt trauma with bilateral chylothoraces, a rare result of trauma. He presented with shortness of breath and chest pain. A diagnostic workup resulted in the determination of traumatic chylothorax. His course in the hospital identified a disruption at a level of the 5th thoracic vertebra. No surgical ligation was required because his leak spontaneously sealed after conservative measures. The anatomy, physiology, mechanisms, and management of this injury are discussed.