Cardiac tamponade due to mediastinal extension of intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocysts

Ascites or pleural effusions are common in patients with pancreatitis, but pericardial effusion leading to cardiac tamponade is a rare complication.1 2 Moreover, intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocysts are unusual findings in acute and chronic pancreatitis.3 Here, we report the case of an 81-year-old man with a history of alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis who presented to the emergency unit with dyspnoea, shivering and epigastric pain. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia (121 beats per minute) and hypotension (80/40 mm Hg). Bloodwork indicated elevated inflammatory markers, liver enzymes, cholestatic parameters and lipase.