Pancreatico-Pleural Fistula- An Unusual Complication of Pancreatitis
作者
Huang-Yang Chen
卷期/出版年月
31卷1期 (1998/2)
頁次
37-40
摘要
Pleural effusion is commonly seen in acute pancreatitis, but pleural effusion from a pancreatico-pleural fistula is rarely seen and occurs in less than 1% of cases with pancreatitis. The effusion is often massive and recurrent. It may be due to an extension from a pseudocyst or formed by a fistula tract from the pancreas to the pleural cavity. A 49 year-old male patient with alcoholism presented himself with dyspnea due to massive pleural effusion and was admitted for evaluation. A high amylase level in the pleural effusion was found and lead to the suspicion of a pancreatico-pleural fistula which was confirmed by a CT scan and ERCP. He underwent an operation and recovered smoothly. After 6 months of follow up, he was well and without recurrence.