respectively. Leakage of lymphatic fluid and decreased chyle volume result in the loss of fluid, electrolytes, proteins, and lymphocytes, leading to complications with nutrition, wound healing, and immunity.

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