Pancreaticopleural fistula: an unusual complication of pancreatitis diagnosed with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.
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.
Vyas
Sameer
S
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, 160012 Chandigarh, India. sameer574@yahoo.co.in
Gogoi
Dhrubajyoti
D
Sinha
Saroj Kant
SK
Singh
Paramjeet
P
Yadav
Thakur Deen
TD
Khandelwal
Niranjan
N
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