Chyluria

Also known as: chylous urine

What is chyluria?

Lymph fluid is the fluid that is collected from around tissues that flows into lymphatic capillaries from which it is transported through bigger vessels to lymph nodes before emptying into one of the big veins of the neck where it mixes with the bloodstream. When fluid from the lymphatic system leaks into the kidneys and turns the urine a milky color, this rare condition is known as chyluria.

What causes chyluria?

Damage to normal lymph flow may be caused by a parasitic infection (a common cause is the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti), congenital abnormalities of lymphatics, tumors, trauma or associated with other medical syndromes.

What are the symptoms of chyluria?

In addition to a milky white urine, chyluria may cause more frequent urination, blood in the urine or pain on passing urine.

What are chyluria care options?

Treatment for chyluria depends on the cause. When the source of the leak can be identified, sealing it (by embolization) may be curative. Some causes make treatment challenging.

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: May 01, 2020 04:12 PM