title: Resolution of pancreatico-pleural fistula with endoscopic ultrasound-guided therapy.
abstract: Pancreatico-pleural fistula is an uncommon cause of recurrent pleural effusion. Delayed diagnosis may occur if fluid amylase level is not obtained early in the clinical course. As most cases of pancreatico-pleural effusion are due to chronic pancreatitis, endoscopic therapy may be effective if pancreatic fluid secretion can be diverted to a more physiologic pathway. However, when severe pancreatitis leads to disconnection of the pancreatic duct, it precludes conventional endoscopic treatment via transpapillary stenting of the pancreatic duct. We describe a patient with a chronic, refractory pancreatico-pleural fistula arising from chronic pancreatitis with a disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome, which resolved following endoscopic ultrasound-guided therapy.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, USA.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Houlihan
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, USA ; Rockford Gastroenterology Associates, Ltd., 401 Roxbury Road, Rockford, IL 61107-5078, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bowyer
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, USA ; Rockford Gastroenterology Associates, Ltd., 401 Roxbury Road, Rockford, IL 61107-5078, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Barclay
keywords: Effusion; Endoscopic; Pancreatic; Pancreatitis; Pleural fistula