Autoimmune pancreatitis: report of two cases and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a unique chronic inflammation of the pancreas in which autoimmune mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis. It is characterized by clinical, histopathological, radiographic, serologic and therapeutic features. Since it was first described in 1995, increasing numbers of AIP patients have been diagnosed.


METHODS
In this study, the data from 2 patients with AIP who had elevation of serum immunoglobulin G, positive autoantibody, swelling of the pancreas and narrowing of the main pancreatic duct on imaging were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
With the initial diagnosis of AIP, both patients underwent regular prednisone therapy, which was initiated at a dose of 40 mg per day with a tapering schedule of 5 mg every 2 weeks. The patients responded very well to treatment with prednisone.


CONCLUSIONS
AIP is a relatively new disease entity. Although it is diagnosed by distinct characteristics of the clinical, radiologic, histopathologic, and serologic findings, many questions require further clarification, including its relationship to other autoimmune diseases and misdiagnosis as pancreaticobiliary malignancies.
Sheng
Qin-Song
QS
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
Chen
Da-Zhi
DZ
Lang
Ren
R
He
Qiang
Q
Han
Dong-Dong
DD
Pan
Fei
F
Li
Ping
P
Qu
Zhao-Wei
ZW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011241:Prednisone