Pancreaticopleural Fistula: A Rare Complication of Alcoholic Pancreatitis | Insight Medical Publishing

Pancreaticopleural fistula is a rare complication after pancreatitis, most commonly secondary to pseudocyst rupture with tracking of pancreatic fluid into the mediastinum. We describe a 45-year-old female with a long-standing history of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis with multiple recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis who presented with dyspnea from a massive right pleural effusion, which was in communication with a large ruptured pseudocyst. Owing to failure of conservative therapy, she required endoscopic pancreatic duct stenting and surgical pulmonary decortication.