Pancreatitis presenting as pleural effusions: computed tomography demonstration of pleural space extension of pancreatitis exudate

Reported are two cases of acute pancreatitis that presented as large pleural effusions in which the route of communication of the pancreatic fossa with the chest was demonstrated on computed tomography. The bloody effusions were right-sided in one case and bilateral in the other. Pleuropulmonary complications of pancreatitis and possible mechanisms for pulmonary involvement are presented.