CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2013; 04(04): 123-127
DOI: 10.4103/0976-5042.132425
Case Report
Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India

Pancreaticopleural fistula: Report of two cases and review of literature

Piyush Ranjan
Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
,
Rinkesh Bansal
Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
,
Munish Sachdeva
Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
,
Mandhir Kumar
Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
› Institutsangaben
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Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
26. September 2019 (online)

Abstract

Pancreaticopleural fistula is a rare clinical problem. It is seen rarely in acute and chronic pancreatitis or after pancreatic duct trauma. It poses a diagnostic challenge. It may be silent or can present with predominant chest or abdominal symptoms. The diagnosis should be suspected if a patient presents with pleural effusion in a setting of pancreatitis or alcohol intake. The significantly raised amylase in the pleural fluid offers an important clue to the diagnosis. Computed tomography is the initial imaging of choice, which defines the pancreatic as well as chest abnormalities. The therapeutic options include medical, endoscopic, as well as surgical interventions. Although, there is no data comparing the endoscopic and surgical interventions, patients are generally treated with medical and endoscopic therapies. Surgery is reserved for those who fail medical and endoscopic therapies. Here we report two cases of pancreaticopleural fistulas that were treated successfully by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and placement of a plastic stent in the main pancreatic duct.

 
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