Chyluria

Chyluria, also called chylous urine, is a medical condition involving the presence of chyle in the urine stream,^[1] which results in urine appearing milky white.^[2][3] It is a condition that is more prevalent among people of Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

Chyluria appearance is irregular and intermittent.It may last several days, weeks or even months. There are several factors that trigger Chyluria recurrence.

Causes

Chyluria is often caused by filariasis due to the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti, a thready nematode which lodges the lymph channels.^[2][4] Another cause is pregnancy or childbirth.

In the United States, one of the most common causes is partial nephrectomy or thermal ablation of a kidney lesion.

Symptoms

Once the lymph channels are blocked, one may open into the kidney hilum or ureter or sometimes into the bladder and chyle can leak into the urinary tract resulting in milky white urine. Blood sometimes mixes with the urine resulting in haemato-chyluria.

Usually the condition is self-limiting and can sometimes lead to complications. If left untreated, chronic chyluria can lead to malnutrition and vitamin deficiency.

Treatment

An anti-filarial drug, such as diethylcarbamazine, may be prescribed. Severe damage to lymph channels may require surgery. Sclerotherapy with instillation of 1% of silver nitrate or povidone iodine (2ml of 5% + 8ml distilled water).

References