Cardiac tamponade as a complication of pseudocyst in chronic pancreatitis

Authors report a case of relapsing chronic calcifying pancreatitis with pleural and pericardial effusions during an episode of acute exacerbation. A large multilocular pancreatic pseudocyst expanded into the mediastinal space resulting in pericardial effusion that caused cardiac tamponade with severe circulatory deterioration. After resuscitation and pericardiocentesis a successful surgical procedure was performed, which produced rapid clinical improvement. Authors discuss this uncommon complication and review the proposed pathogenic mechanisms and possible therapeutic interventions.