Autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis: outcome after 24 months of follow-up

• Published in: Revista española de enfermedades digestivas Vol. 100; no. 10; pp. 648 - 651
• Main Authors: Romero, M, Pérez-Grueso, M J, Repiso, A, de la Cruz, G, García Vela, A, Martín Escobedo, R, González de Frutos, C, Carrobles, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.10.2008
• Subjects: Anti-Inflammatory Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Autoimmune Diseases - complications; Autoimmune Diseases - diagnosis; Autoimmune Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Autoimmune Diseases - drug therapy; Follow-Up Studies; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Male; Methylprednisolone - administration & dosage; Methylprednisolone - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis - complications; Pancreatitis - diagnosis; Pancreatitis - diagnostic imaging; Pancreatitis - drug therapy; Radiography, Abdominal; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis - complications; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis - diagnosis; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis - diagnostic imaging; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1130-0108

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a kind of chronic pancreatitis characterized by the presence of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and severely elevated serum IgG and IgG4, which has been associated to many extrapancreatic lesions and other autoimmune disorders, leading to the theory of an autoimmune mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. We report the case of a man who simultaneously presented with autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitonal fibrosis, and a lesion of the extrapancreatic bile duct, with total response to corticosteroid treatment for 4 months and absence of recurrence after 24 months of follow-up. Autoimmune pancreatitis is a kind of chronic pancreatitis that is probably a part of a systemic autoimmune disease, with retroperitoneal fibrosis and extrapancreatic bile duct lesion being the most commonly associated extrapancreatic lesions. A correct diagnosis and early treatment of this disease may aid in the total resolution of lesions, especially in cases with a low activity grade.