The Coexistence of Autoimmune Pancreatitis and Crohn's Disease in an Adolescent Case

Although autoimmune pancreatitis is not seen in children frequently, it is included in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis. A 16-year-old girl who was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis 4 months previously, presented to the outpatient clinic with abdominal pain on the epigastric region, and left lower abdominal quadrant and bloody defecation. Remarkable laboratory test results were as follows: amylase: 109 U/L, lipase: 196 U/L, Ig G:13.70 g/L, IgG4:2.117 g/L, fecal calprotectin 573 μg/g. In the MRCP examination, revealed enlarged pancreas with a heterogeneous appearance, dilated main pancreatic duct. Colonoscopic and histopathological findings were consistent with inflammatory bowel disease. The case was diagnosed as Crohn's disease coursing with autoimmune pancreatitis. Clinical and laboratory findings regressed after steroid treatment. Autoimmune pancreatitis is important in that it is rarely seen in children and though less frequently it is associated with Crohn's disease. It should be kept in mind that inflammatory bowel disease may develop in the follow-up of autoimmune pancreatitis and autoimmune pancreatitis may be present in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis.