Pancreatico-pleural fistula with chronic pleural effusion--endoscopic-retrograde visualization and therapy by ultrasonically--guided drainage.
In a patient with alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis, a large chronic left-sided pleural effusion persisted after partial pancreatectomy (resection of the pancreatic tail). ERCP outlined a transdiaphragmatic fistula between the duct of the remaining pancreas and the pleural cavity. The effusion was removed by ultrasound-assisted thoracocentesis, and the fistulous canal was obliterated permanently.
D000328:Adult; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005402:Fistula / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000150:complications*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography