Intermittent Chyluria: Case Report

Chyluria is defined as the presence of lymph in the urine and is rare except in the areas of the world where filariasis is endemic. An abnormal communication or fistula is formed between the renal lymphatic system and urinary collecting system due to high intralymphatic pressure caused by an obstruction. This obstruction may be congenital or acquired.

A twenty-nine-year-old woman presented with a complaint of milky urine lasted for 18 months intermittently that exacerbates and resolves spontaneously. Chemical analysis of urine sampled in the morning showed triglyceride levels of 778 mg/dl, protein levels of 396 mg/dl. Triglyceride level of the urine sampled in the afternoon was 82 mg/dl, and protein level was 4 mg/dl. This prominent hypertriglyceriduria led to the diagnosis of chyluria. During the follow-up period of the patient, chyluria resolved. Chyluria is not commonly seen in non-endemic areas so this case was found to be interesting and has been reported.