Mediastinal necrosis in acute pancreatitis - case report

Zentralbl Chir. 2007 Apr;132(2):155-7. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-960660.

Abstract

Ascites, pseudocyst, necrosis of the retroperitoneal fat tissue and pancreatopleural fistula with left sided pleural effusion may complicate pancreatitis. However, steatonecrosis of the mediastinum and right side pleural effusion are rather rare complications of pancreatitis. We present a case of a patient with alcohol induced pancreatitis. Chest x-ray showed right sided pleural effusion. Although high levels of amylase in pleural fluid made the diagnosis of pancreatopleural fistula most likely, necrosis of the mediastinal fat tissue with right side pleural effusion was found postmortem.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / pathology
  • Amylases / analysis
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fat Necrosis / diagnosis
  • Fat Necrosis / pathology
  • Fat Necrosis / surgery*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fistula / diagnosis
  • Fistula / pathology
  • Fistula / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Mediastinal Diseases / pathology
  • Mediastinal Diseases / surgery*
  • Mediastinum / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Fistula / complications
  • Pancreatic Fistula / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Fistula / pathology
  • Pancreatic Fistula / surgery*
  • Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / diagnosis
  • Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / pathology
  • Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / surgery*
  • Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / diagnosis
  • Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / pathology
  • Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / surgery*
  • Pleural Diseases / diagnosis
  • Pleural Diseases / pathology
  • Pleural Diseases / surgery*
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / pathology
  • Pleural Effusion / surgery
  • Retroperitoneal Space / pathology
  • Thoracostomy

Substances

  • Amylases