Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Massive pleural effusion in pancreatitis: 2 case reports

J Abisheganaden1, K N Sin Fai Lam, L S Chew

  • 1Department of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore.

Singapore Medical Journal
|October 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Acute pancreatitis can cause left-sided pleural effusion. Measuring pleural fluid amylase via thoracentesis aids rapid diagnosis in patients with abdominal symptoms and effusions.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Global health impacts of ambient fine particulate pollution associated with climate variability.

Environment international·2024
Same author

Effectiveness of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid®) in preventing hospitalisation and death among COVID-19 patients: a prospective cohort study.

The Medical journal of Malaysia·2023
Same author

Impact of an asthma education programme on patients' knowledge, inhaler technique and compliance to treatment.

Singapore medical journal·2006
Same author

Endobronchial tuberculosis simulating bronchial asthma.

Singapore medical journal·2004
Same author

Asthma disease management: a provider's perspective.

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore·2002
Same author

High prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in a medical intensive care unit.

Singapore medical journal·2002

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pulmonology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas.
  • Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.
  • Alcohol consumption is a common cause of acute pancreatitis.

Observation:

  • Two patients presented with left-sided pleural effusion.
  • Both patients had a history of significant alcohol consumption.
  • Pleural fluid amylase levels were markedly elevated, exceeding serum levels.

Findings:

  • The pleural effusions resolved with closed chest tube drainage.
  • Pancreatitis symptoms subsided with conservative management.
  • Thoracentesis with amylase level determination is a rapid diagnostic tool.

Implications:

  • This case series highlights a potential complication of acute pancreatitis.
  • Elevated pleural fluid amylase can indicate pancreatitis as the underlying cause of effusion.
  • Early diagnosis through thoracentesis can lead to timely and appropriate management.

Related Experiment Videos