Malignancy | Lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma, thyroid cancer, oesophageal cancer |
Congenital duct abnormalities and diseases of the lymph vessels | Congenital thoracic duct absence or atresia, yellow nail syndrome, lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), congenital haemangiomatosis (e.g. Gorham's disease) |
Infections | Tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, filariasis |
Systemic disorders | Systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's disease, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis |
Miscellaneous | Cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, superior vena cava thrombosis, mediastinal lymph node enlargement, retrosternal goitre |
Idiopathic | Up to 9% of non-traumatic chylothorax |