Pancreatico-pleural fistula with chronic pleural effusion--endoscopic-retrograde visualization and therapy by ultrasonically--guided drainage.

In a patient with alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis, a large chronic left-sided pleural effusion persisted after partial pancreatectomy (resection of the pancreatic tail). ERCP outlined a transdiaphragmatic fistula between the duct of the remaining pancreas and the pleural cavity. The effusion was removed by ultrasound-assisted thoracocentesis, and the fistulous canal was obliterated permanently.