title: Pancreaticopleural Fistula Causing Massive Right Hydrothorax and Respiratory Failure.
abstract: Hydrothorax secondary to a pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis. In patients with a history of pancreatitis, diagnosis is made by detection of amylase in the pleural exudate. Imaging, particularly magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, aids in the detection of pancreatic ductal disruption. Management includes thoracocentesis and pancreatic duct drainage or pancreatic resection procedures. We present a case of massive right hydrothorax secondary to a PPF due to recurrent acute pancreatitis. Due to respiratory failure, urgent thoracocentesis was done. Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and cholecystectomy was performed. The patient remains well at one-year follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Esther Ern-Hwei
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Vishalkumar Girishchandra
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3988-8142
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Shelat