Successful treatment with octreotide of spontaneous chylothorax in a premature infant.

A 2-month-old premature infant developed a spontaneous chylothorax. Medical therapy (chest tube drainage, parenteral alimentation) and thoracic duct ligation at 103 days of age had no effect. Drainage ceased during an octreotide infusion. The effusion recurred after octreotide was stopped, and responded completely to a longer course of therapy. Octreotide offers a substantial advantage over current medical management to some babies with spontaneous chylothorax.