Haemorrhagic right pleural effusion complicating acute-on-chronic pancreatitis. A case report
Thandroyen, F.T.; Samson, R.E.; Keeton, G.R.
South African Medical Journal 65(23): 933-934
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 6203179 Document Number: 223458
A 40-year old man presented with pulmonary symptoms and a right-sided haemorrhagic pleural effusion. Tuberculosis and carcinoma, both primary and secondary, were excluded as a cause. Chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed on the basis of a 5-year history of repeated episodes of alcohol-induced epigastric pain and suggestive findings on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The chronic pancreatitis became acute during hospitalization. The disproportionate elevation of the pleural fluid amylase level in comparison with the serum amylase level provided definitive evidence that the pleural effusion was a complication of pancreatitis.