LETTER
Hippokratia 2019, 23(4): 191
Nikolić N1,2, Marinković B2
1Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, 2Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Clinical Center Nis, Nis, Serbia
Keywords: Pancreatic pseudocyst, mediastinitis, deep neck spaces
Corresponding author: Nikola Nikolic, University Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology Nis, Faculty of Medicine in Nis, 48 Bul. Dr Zorana Djindjica, 18000 Nis, Serbia, tel: +381642831858, e-mail: nik88nikolic@gmail.com
Dear Editor,
Chronic pancreatitis leads to parenchymal fibrosis, which further dysregulates the exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas. Pancreatic pseudocysts are amylase-rich collections that are formed as a consequence of chronic pancreatitis1. A rupture of pancreatic pseudocysts and fluid spread towards the deep neck spaces has not been described in the literature.
A 45-year-old male presented to the surgical ward with intense abdominal pain and difficulty in breathing. Laboratory tests showed elevated values of leukocytes, serum, and urine amylase. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) of the abdomen, chest, and neck was performed, which showed a fluid collection in the retroperitoneal space extending towards the posterior mediastinum (Figure 1A). The fluid collection extended paratracheal and retrotracheal at the superior mediastinum (Figure 1B) and involved the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal spaces in the neck (Figure 1C). A surgical tracheotomy was performed, and subsequently incision and drainage of the retropharyngeal, parapharyngeal, and pretracheal spaces. The accumulated fluid was blurred with a dark grey color (Figure 1D). In the same surgery, a thoracic surgeon performed an anterolateral thoracotomy and a general surgeon upper laparotomy with fluid drainage. The subsequent biochemical analysis showed the presence of pancreatic amylase in the fluid. Post-operative MSCT did not show any fluid reaccumulation in the deep neck spaces and mediastinum. However, the patient eventually succumbed due to the complications for primary disease.
Figure 1: A) Axial computed tomography of the chest showing a fluid collection in the posterior mediastinum (arrows), B) Axial computed tomography of the chest showing retrotracheal collection at the superior mediastinum (arrows), C) Axial computed tomography of the neck showing a fluid collection in deep neck spaces (arrows), D) Intraoperative image of neck drainage demonstrating blurred, dark grey color content in the parapharyngeal space.
The presence of pancreatic fluid into the mediastinum is attributed to the formation of pancreatic-pleural fistula or the leakage of secretions from the pancreatic pseudocyst2,3. Regarding the possible mechanism of spread towards the mediastinum, we assumed, based on the localization of the pancreatic pseudocyst, that it extended from the peritoneal space through the esophageal hiatus into the mediastinum. Due to the patient’s prolonged supine position, deep neck spaces got involved by direct extension of the fluid from the superior mediastinum. Fluid spread into the pretracheal space, from where it advanced towards the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal spaces.
Conflict of interest
None reported.
References
1. Ramsey ML, Conwell DL, Hart PA. Complications of Chronic Pancreatitis. Dig Dis Sci. 2017; 62: 1745-1750.
2. Guo F, Wu J, Peng Y, Tu M, Xiao B, Dai C, et al. Black pleural effusion due to pancreatic pseudocyst: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017; 96: e9043.
3. Lam S, Banim P. Massive loculated pleural effusion in a patient with pancreatic pseudocyst due to alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis. BMJ Case Rep. 2014; 2014: bcr2014204032.