Pancreatic pleural effusion effectively treated with endoscopic pancreatic duct drainage and thoracentesis: A case report

Abstract

A man in his 40s with a history of hospitalization for acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis presented with dyspnea. Chest radiography revealed left pleural effusion, and he was hospitalized for further evaluation and treatment. Thoracentesis was performed, and we suspected pancreatic pleural effusion based on high pancreatic enzyme levels in the effusion. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography revealed stenosis of the main pancreatic duct and a pancreaticopleural fistula, which led to a diagnosis of pancreatic pleural effusion. Endoscopic pancreatic drainage was performed, and thoracentesis was repeated on five occasions. The pleural effusion gradually decreased, and the patient was discharged on the 28th day. We report successful treatment of pancreatic pleural effusion using endoscopic pancreatic drainage and thoracentesis.