Editing Chyle

{{Short description|Milky bodily fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fats}}
{{Distinguish|chyme}}
{{Infobox anatomy
|Name = Chyle
|image = Chylothorax.jpg
|caption= Chyle drained from someone with [[chylothorax]], showing the characteristic milky appearance of the liquid.
|system= [[Lymphatic system]]
|location= Formed in the small intestine
|Pronunciation = {{IPAc-en|k|aɪ|l}}
}}

'''Chyle''' ({{IPAc-en|k|aɪ|l}}; {{ety|el|''χυλός'' (chylos)|juice}}<ref>Mosby’s Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Mosby-Year Book Inc., 1994, p. 335</ref>) is a milky [[bodily fluid]] consisting of [[lymph]] and emulsified [[fat]]s, or free [[fatty acid]]s (FFAs). It is formed in the [[small intestine]] during digestion of fatty foods, and taken up by [[lymph vessel]]s specifically known as [[lacteals]]. The lipids in the chyle are [[colloid]]ally suspended in [[chylomicron]]s.

==Clinical significance==
A chyle [[fistula]] occurs when defect(s) of lymphatic vessel(s) result in leakage of lymphatic fluid, typically accumulating in the thoracic (pleural) or abdominal (peritoneal) cavities,<ref>Tessier, Deron J, MD, [http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2706.htm Chyle fistula] eMedicine; Jan 10, 2008; accessed Feb 2008</ref> leading to a chylous pleural effusion ([[chylothorax]]) or [[chylous ascites]], respectively.

Diagnosis of a chyle fistula may be accomplished by analysis of pleural/peritoneal fluid. Identifying the source (localizing the lymphatic defect) is often challenging, but may be accomplished with lymphangiography, which is occasionally associated with a serendipitous therapeutic effect (resolution of the leak), thought to be secondary to a sclerosant effect of the lymphangiography contrast.

Due to the extreme [[friability]] of the lymphatic vessels, direct repair of defects is impractical. Therefore, treatment of chyle fistulae relies upon either decreased production of lymphatic fluid to allow for healing of lymphatic defect(s) or permanent diversion of lymphatic fluid away from lymphatic defect(s). Decreased production of lymphatic fluid may be accomplished by dietary restriction (or complete replacement of oral intake with [[total parenteral nutrition]]), as well as by the medications [[octreotide]] (a synthetic analogue of the hormone [[somatostatin]])<ref>{{Cite journal|pmid=15830574|year=2005|last1=Mincher|first1=L|last2=Evans|first2=J|last3=Jenner|first3=MW|last4=Varney|first4=VA|title=The successful treatment of chylous effusions in malignant disease with octreotide|volume=17|issue=2|pages=118–21|journal=Clinical Oncology|doi=10.1016/j.clon.2004.06.016}}</ref> and [[orlistat]] (a lipase inhibitor that decreases absorption of dietary fats). Permanent diversion of lymphatic fluid may be accomplished by  [[thoracic duct]] embolization (a needle-based procedure to occlude the duct by depositing glue/embolic material into it) or by thoracic duct ligation (an open surgical procedure to occlude the duct by suturing tightly around it).

==See also==
* [[Chyme]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Body fluids]]
[[Category:Digestive system]]
[[Category:Lymphatic system]]