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Endoscopy 2006; 38(7): 749-751
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-925062
Case Report
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Endoscopic Management of Pancreaticopleural Fistulas: A Report of Three Patients

T.  Koshitani1 , Y.  Uehara1 , T.  Yasu1 , Y.  Yamashita1 , T.  Kirishima1 , N.  Yoshinami1 , J.  Takaaki1 , H.  Shintani1 , K.  Kashima1 , H.  Ogasawara2 , Y.  Katsuma3 , T.  Okanoue4
  • 1 Department of Gastroenterology, Kyoto City Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
  • 2 Ogasawara Clinic, Kyoto, Japan
  • 3 Katsuma Clinic, Kyoto, Japan
  • 4 Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 12 April 2005

Accepted after revision 25 November 2005

Publication Date:
23 March 2006 (online)

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Pancreaticopleural fistulas are a rare complication of acute or chronic pancreatitis, and are usually treated by surgery. We report three patients whose pancreaticopleural fistulas were successfully treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and drainage (stenting, nasopancreatic drainage). In one patient a pancreatic pseudocyst persisted despite successful initial closure of the leak using this method and, as it was also suspected to be infected, additional drainage of the pseudocyst was required. Endotherapy of pancreaticopleural fistulas could obviate the need for surgery when conventional medical treatment has failed in this condition.

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T. Koshitani, M.D.

Department of Gastroenterology

Kyoto City Hospital · 1-2 Higashitakada-cho Mibu Nakagyo-ku · Kyoto 604-8845 · Japan

Fax: +81-75-321-6025

Email: tkoshi@hosp.city.kyoto.jp