Reference Values

None present

Note: Pleural fluids with a cloudy supernatant can be tested for the presence of chylomicrons to aid in distinguishing between pseudochylothorax effusions (chylomicrons absent) and chylothorax effusions (chylomicrons present). Pleural fluid triglyceride determination is also recommended. Pleural fluids with triglyceride values >110 mg/dL can be classified as a chylothorax with high-specificity while triglyceride values <50 mg/dL indicate a nonchylous effusion. Cholesterol measurements may be helpful for specimens with equivocal results. Pseudochylothorax effusions often have high cholesterol levels (>250 mg/dL) while true chylo effusions will have low cholesterol values.