An Atypical Presentation Of Pancreatic Carcinoma With Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Case Report

Background: Pleural effusion secondary to pancreatic tumour is a relatively rare clinical presentation.Aim of study: To present a case of a patient that had pancreatic tumour who presented with features of left sided pleural effusion with a view to highlighting the clinical features of the presentation.Method of study: The case file of a patient that presented with left sided pleural effusion but later investigated and found to have carcinoma of the pancreas was studied. The clinical features and findings on examination are highlighted.Results: There was a left sided pleural effusion and computerized axial tomography scan showed a pancreatic tumour. A pancreatic and lymph node biopsies confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma.Conclusion: when there is pleural effusion (especially when it affects the left side) without an obvious cause, the abdomen should be thoroughly investigated for a possible occult intraabdominal malignancy.Keywords: Left sided pleural effusion, computerized axial tomography scan, pancreatic carcinoma