A rare case of pancreato-pleural fistula with left sided massive pleural effusion

Pancreaticopleuralfistula is a very rare complication of acute and chronic pancreatitis. High index of suspicion is needed to diagnose in patients with alcohol induced pancreatitis, presenting with recurrent or persistent pleural effusion. Patient typically presented with pulmonary symptoms, rather than abdominal complaints, leading to delay in the diagnosis. Here we present a case of a known chronic pancreatitis who presented to us with massive left sided pleural effusion. Blood coloured pleural fluid analysis showed lipase and amylase levels in hundred thousand and ten thousand ranges. Diagnosis was made by CECT abdomen and confirmed with MRCP. Patient was treated with first line medical management of thoracocentesis and ERCP with pancreatic duct stenting.

Endoscopic Management of Pancreaticopleural Fistula in a Child with Hereditary Pancreatitis / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) a fistulous connection between the pancreas and pleural space due to prolonged chronic pancreatitis (CP). PPF is a very rare complication which presents in 0.4% of chronic pancreatitis cases, especially among children. We report a case involving a 3-year-old boy who presented with pleural effusion caused by a PPF, a complication of hereditary pancreatitis, which was, for the first time in Korea, successfully managed with endoscopic treatment. Chest radiography and computed tomography showed massive pleural effusion. Percutaneous catheter drainage was performed. High amylase levels were observed in the pleural fluid and serum, suggesting PPF. The patient was managed with bowel rest and octreotide infusion. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed CP, and pleural effusion was successfully managed with stent placement. PRSS1 genetic screening revealed R122H mutation.

Analysis of pancreaticopleural fistula in 5 children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To summarize the clinical features of the pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) in children in order to improve the understanding of PPF and to make early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.Methods Five cases of pediatric PPF in Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from December 2007 to March 2014 were studied by retrospective analysis.The clinical features, laboratory results, image characteristics, treatment and prognosis were reviewed.Results Five cases of PPF were diagnosed aged between 2 years to 10 years and 5 months old, history from more than 1 month to 6 months.The main symptoms were chest tightness (3 cases), chest pain (3 cases) , fever(3 cases) , wheeze (1 case) , dyspnea (1 case).Only 1 case was with abdominal pain and abdominal distension when he was admitted to hospital.All patients had massive pleural effusions, included right side (3 cases),left side(1 case) ,bilateral sides(1 case), 1 case complicated with massive ascites.Pleural fluid amylase of all the cases was significantly elevated (＞ 1 000 U/L) ,the highest was more than 50 000 U/L.Four cases had positive findings of pancreas by transabdominal ultrasound.Five cases had morphological changes in pancreas by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).Four cases had PPF and pancreatic pseudocysts respectively.Conservative treatment was given to 5 cases, but further 3 cases reveived stent insertion by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopanereatography, and 2 cases reveived surgical therapy.Conclusions PPF is rare in children, the main clinical feature is massive pleural effusion with respiratory symptoms.Pleural fluid amylase would be significantly elevated.The diagnosis of PPF generally relies on imaging, MRCP is considered the imaging study of choice for PPF due to its superiority in identifying a fistula in the pancreatic region and its noninvasiveness as compared to endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography.Endoscopic and surgical therapy can be used if internal therapy is not satisfactory.

Pancreaticopleural Fistula Treated by Endoscopic Pancreatic Stenting in a Patient with Recurrent Pancreatitis / 대한내과학회지

Pancreatic duct disruption associated with pancreatitis can lead to the development of pseudocysts, pancreatic ascites, and pleural effusion. A 50-year-old male presented with a 1-month history of postprandial epigastric pain. A chest X-ray showed right pleural effusion. Diagnostic thoracentesis revealed an amylase-rich exudate consistent with pancreatic effusion. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a pancreaticopleural fistula tract, and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography confirmed the presence of pancreatic ductal disruption and leakage at the genu portion. The pancreaticopleural fistula was treated by transpapillary pancreatic stenting. Percutaneous drainage of the pleural effusion and octreotide injection were also performed. Follow-up endoscopic retrograde pancreatography at 8 weeks revealed no leakage of contrast media from the main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic pancreatic stenting can be an efficacious nonsurgical treatment of pancreaticopleural fistula following pancreatitis.

Pancreaticopleural Fistula with Hemothorax

Pancreaticopleural fistula is an uncommon complication of chronic pancreatitis. We report a case of pancreaticopleural fistula that was presented with right-sided hemothorax. A 49-year-old male with a history of chronic alcoholism was presented with a month of dyspnea. A chest radiography showed a right-sided massive pleural effusion with old-blood-colored fluids and amylase levels of 1,020 IU/L. On the chest computerized tomography (CT), there was pleural effusion and a well-defined tract from the posterior mediastinum to the pseudocyst in the tail of the pancreas. Even with conservative treatment with closed thoracostomy, octreotide and gabexate mesilate, he developed hemothorax. Abdominal CT revealed an increase of the hemorrhagic pancreatic pseudocyst. Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and external drainage of the pancreaticopleural fistula on the posterior mediasternum were performed. The patient had an uneventful course and was discharged on the 27th postoperative day. Management of pancreaticopleural fistula is multimodal included medication, endoscopic stenting and surgery. Surgery in pancreaticopleural fistula might be beneficial in selective cases.