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Autoimmune pancreatitis exhibiting multiple mass lesions
Masahiro Shiokawa1, Yuzo Kodama, Yukiko Hiramatsu
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Case Reports in Gastroenterology
|November 17, 2011
Summary
This case report details autoimmune pancreatitis presenting as multiple pancreatic masses, diagnosed via EUS-FNA and treated successfully with steroids. The findings highlight a rare presentation of autoimmune pancreatitis and guide diagnosis to avoid unnecessary surgery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pancreas.
- AIP can present with diverse imaging findings, sometimes mimicking pancreatic cancer.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial to guide appropriate treatment and prognosis.
Observation:
- A unique case of AIP presenting with multiple pancreatic masses is described.
- Diagnosis was confirmed through endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).
- The pancreatic masses showed complete resolution following steroid therapy.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of AIP exhibiting multiple pancreatic masses.
- EUS-FNA proved effective for pathological diagnosis of AIP in this presentation.
- Steroid treatment led to the complete disappearance of the pancreatic masses.
Implications:
- Autoimmune pancreatitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multiple pancreatic masses.
- This case underscores the importance of minimally invasive diagnostic techniques like EUS-FNA.
- Appropriate diagnosis of AIP can prevent unnecessary surgical interventions for pancreatic masses.
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