Table 1.
Fluid analysis.
| Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conventional units | SI units | |
| Source | Pleural | |
| Volume | 2.0 ml | |
| Appearance | White, milky | |
| Protein | 6.8 g/dl | 68 g/l |
| Red blood cell count | <106 cells/μl | <1012 cells/l |
| Nucleated cell count | 3.4×104 cells/μl | 3.4×1010 cells/l |
| Neutrophil | 14% | |
| Small mononuclear | 81% | |
| Large mononuclear | 5% | |
| Cholesterol | 98 mg/dl | 2.6 mmol/l |
| Triglyceride | 1502 mg/dl | 16.9 mmol/l |
Cytologic interpretation: the fluid contains many small mature lymphocytes and low numbers of neutrophils and foamy macrophages. It is a chylous effusion, compatible with a ruptured or leaking thoracic duct.