title: Pancreaticopleural fistula: an unusual complication of pancreatitis diagnosed with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreaticopleural fistula is a rare complication of pancreatitis. Pleural effusion resulting from a pancreaticopleural fistula is extremely rare and accounts for less than 1% of cases. Due to non-specific clinical presentations of a pancreaticopleural fistula, imaging plays an important role. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is very useful in depicting parenchymal and ductal structural changes along with direct visualization of a pancreaticopleural fistula.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a middle-aged male with moderate right pleural effusion who had a history of pancreatitis. MRCP showed chronic pancreatitis with a pancreaticopleural fistula. A brief review of the role of imaging in a pancreaticopleural fistula is discussed along with the case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRCP is a useful modality for diagnosing a pancreaticopleural fistula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiodiagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, 160012 Chandigarh, India. sameer574@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vyas
authors.forename: Dhrubajyoti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gogoi
authors.forename: Saroj Kant
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Paramjeet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Thakur Deen
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.forename: Niranjan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khandelwal
mesh_terms: D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography