A case of autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis.
BACKGROUND
Autoimmune pancreatitis is characterized by diffuse enlargement of the pancreas, diffuse irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and fibrosis of the pancreas. Retroperitoneal fibrosis may occasionally be associated with autoimmune pancreatitis.


METHODS
We report a 77-year-old man with autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and a capsule-like rim. Furthermore, a retroperitoneal mass was recognized anterior to the abdominal aorta. Antinuclear antibody, IgG and IgG4 values were elevated. Therefore, this patient was diagnosed as having autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis. We performed steroid therapy using prednisolone. After 4 weeks, both IgG and IgG4 values decreased and both the swelling of the pancreas and also the retroperitoneal mass were obviously diminished.


CONCLUSIONS
This is a rare case of autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis.
Ohtsubo
Koushiro
K
Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan. ohtsubo@kenroku.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
Watanabe
Hiroyuki
H
Tsuchiyama
Tomoya
T
Mouri
Hisatsugu
H
Yamaguchi
Yasushi
Y
Motoo
Yoshiharu
Y
Ohnishi
Ichiro
I
Gabata
Toshifumi
T
Sawabu
Norio
N
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000368:Aged; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011239:Prednisolone