Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie
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Massive pleural effusions are uncommon but well-documented complications of chronic pancreatitis, usually caused by the development of a pancreaticopleural fistula. The mechanism of the fistula formation is thought to be rupture of the pancreatic duct or pseudocyst. ⋯ Patients with large pleural effusions may have underlying pancreatitis with a pancreaticopleural fistula. It is important to establish this diagnosis because treatment may require operative interventions.