Pancreaticopleural fistula: an unusual complication of pancreatitis diagnosed with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

CONTEXT: Pancreaticopleural fistula is a rare complication of pancreatitis. Pleural effusion resulting from a pancreaticopleural fistula is extremely rare and accounts for less than 1% of cases. Due to non-specific clinical presentations of a pancreaticopleural fistula, imaging plays an important role. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is very useful in depicting parenchymal and ductal structural changes along with direct visualization of a pancreaticopleural fistula.

CASE REPORT: We present the case of a middle-aged male with moderate right pleural effusion who had a history of pancreatitis. MRCP showed chronic pancreatitis with a pancreaticopleural fistula. A brief review of the role of imaging in a pancreaticopleural fistula is discussed along with the case.

CONCLUSION: MRCP is a useful modality for diagnosing a pancreaticopleural fistula.