title: A case of autoimmune pancreatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan. ohtsubo@kenroku.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Koushiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohtsubo
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Tomoya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuchiyama
authors.forename: Hisatsugu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mouri
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Motoo
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gabata
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sawabu
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011239:Prednisolone