Autoimmune pancreatitis.
The recommended treatment for a focal mass in the head of the pancreas is pancreaticoduodenectomy. Preoperative biopsy is not advised in patients who are candidates for resection because of the documented risk of tumour dissemination along the needle tract and significant false negative results.1 Autoimmune pancreatitis is a relatively uncommon condition that can present as a pancreatic mass and mimic malignancy. It may respond to glucocorticoid therapy, and further assessment of such treatment is indicated.2 Such experience will only accumulate if wider knowledge of this condition leads to clinical suspicion.
Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Prahan, Victoria, Australia. mnikfarjam@optusnet.com.au
Mehrdad
M
Nikfarjam
Vijyaragavan
V
Muralidharan
Chris
C
Christophi
Howard
H
Tang
David
D
Clouston
D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis*