[Autoimmune pancreatitis : A systematic review]

Autoimmune pancreatitis represents a recently described subset of chronic pancreatitis.

To determine etiopathogenic features as well as histologic, morphologic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis.

The study was based on a review of all relevant studies published in the literature on autoimmune pancreatitis before august 2008.

Autoimmune pancreatitis is now considered as the pancreatic manifestation of a systemic disorder that affects various organs, including the bile duct, retroperitoneum, kidney, and parotid and lachrymal glands. A dense lymphoplasmocytic infiltration with IgG4 positive plasma cells and fibrosis are the histological common feature of this systemic disease. Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare disease that occurs predominantly in elderly men. Its diagnosis is sometimes difficult and can mimic pancreatic cancer whereas its lesions respond so readily to steroids. Thus, diagnostic criteria where developed so that to provide a secure basis for diagnosis and avoid abusive pancreatic resections.

Since its individualization, interest in autoimmune pancreatitis has grown and many clinical aspects have been clarified.