Introduction and importance: Pancreatic pseudocysts (PPCs) cause two-thirds of pancreatic cystic diseases; pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF), a rare (0.4% in pancreatic diseases) life-threatening complication, occurs when mediastinal pseudocysts (60% from PPCs) rupture into the thorax, with 4.5% risk in PPC patients (highest in middle-aged males with alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis). Its nonspecific symptoms (dyspnea, mild/absent abdominal pain) delay diagnosis. Case presentation: A 44-year-old male with a 3-year recurrent acute pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia was admitted for sudden dyspnea. Labs showed elevated serum/thoracentesis fluid pancreatic enzymes. Imaging (July 2023–April 2025) revealed pancreatic inflammation → pseudocyst → mediastinal cyst coalescence → left pleural effusion. Diagnosed with PPF, he received ultrasound-guided thoracentesis and supportive care; a 2-month follow-up showed resolved effusion and a smaller pseudocyst. Clinical discussion: PPF forms via intracystic pressure elevation, diaphragmatic defects, etc., mostly causing left effusions. Diagnosis relies on pleural fluid amylase (>1000 IU/L), contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) (gold standard), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography/ endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Treatment includes conservative management (30%–60% success), endoscopic stenting (50%–86.36% cure), and surgery (for refractory cases). Conclusion: Clinicians should suspect PPF in PPC patients with unexplained respiratory symptoms. Prompt CT and pleural fluid testing aid diagnosis; early management and follow-up improve outcomes.
Yu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.