ACUTE ON CHRONIC PANCREATITIS PRESENTING WITH BILATERAL PLEURAL EFFUSION A CASE REPORT

Pancreaticopleural fistula is a rare complication of pancreatitis and presents with pulmonary symptoms and signs. A highly elevated amylase level in the pleural fluid helps to diagnose a pancreatic pleural effusion. Pancreatic effusions are more common on the left side, but can present on the right side as well. The fistulous tract can be well delineated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography. It can be treated conservatively, surgically or endoscopically by placing a stent that effectively drains the pancreatic secretions. Here we present one such patient who presented with bilateral pleural effusions of pancreatic origin.