title: Pancreaticobronchial fistula: a complication of acute pancreatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreaticobronchial fistula is a rare complication of severe pancreatitis. Various diagnostic methods have been described previously.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presentation, diagnostic methods, management and 5-year follow-up of a 40-year-old woman with severe gallstone induced pancreatitis complicated by a pancreaticobronchial fistula were reviewed. Diagnosis was made on the endotracheal intubation when amylase rich-fluid was drained via the tube and confirmed by CT scanning. Successful management was achieved by an open pancreatic necrosectomy, during which air bubbles were seen emerging from the pancreatic collection which supported the diagnosis of the fistula. Five-year follow-up did not reveal any complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pancreaticobronchial fistulas have the potential to cause severe respiratory complications and mortality. Awareness of this condition is important in the treatment of complicated cases of pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom. d.overbeck@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Overbeck-Zubrzycka
authors.forename: Rajiv J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lochan
authors.forename: Shlok
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balupuri
authors.forename: Ralph W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Charnley
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome