title: Diagnosis and management of autoimmune pancreatitis.
abstract: • AIP is a heterogeneous disease with two distinct subtypes, now called type 1 and type 2. The proportions of these subtypes vary in their distribution worldwide. • Pancreatic cancer is the leading differential diagnosis for AIP, although AIP can mimic any other major pancreatobiliary disease. • Cross-sectional abdominal imaging CT/MRI should form the cornerstone to the diagnosis of AIP. • Serum IgG4 provides collateral evidence for the diagnosis of AIP and should not be the sole basis for the diagnosis. False-positive elevation in serum IgG4 can be seen in up to 10% of patients with pancreatic cancer. • A steroid trial should be performed only in select situations after ruling out pancreatic cancer and by gastroenterologists experienced in treating AIP. • Disease recurrence can be seen in up to 40% of patients after initial steroid therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. asugumar@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Aravind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sugumar
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*