Autoimmune pancreatitis complicated by gastric varices: a report of 3 cases.
We present three cases of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) complicated by gastric varices. Case 1: A 57-year-old man was diagnosed with AIP complicated by gastric varices and splenic vein obstruction. Splenomegaly was not detected at the time of the diagnosis. The AIP improved using steroid therapy, the splenic vein was reperfused, and the gastric varices disappeared; case 2: A 55-year-old man was diagnosed with AIP complicated by gastric varices, splenic vein obstruction, and splenomegaly. Although the AIP improved using steroid therapy, the gastric varices and splenic vein obstruction did not resolve; case 3: A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with AIP complicated by gastric varices, splenic vein obstruction, and splenomegaly. The gastric varices, splenic vein obstruction, and AIP did not improve using steroid therapy. These three cases suggest that gastric varices or splenic vein obstruction without splenomegaly may be an indication for steroid therapy in patients with AIP because the complications will likely become irreversible over time.
Department of Gastroenterology, Nishi-Kobe Medical Center, Hyogo 651-2273, Japan. marshall_prs@nmc-kobe.org
Norihiro
N
Goto
Jun
J
Mimura
Toshinao
T
Itani
Motohito
M
Hayashi
Yukari
Y
Shimada
Tomoaki
T
Matsumori
D000368:Aged; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications*; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000503:physiopathology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000150:complications; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013256:Steroids