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Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Fibrotic phenotype of IgG4-related disease
Marco Lanzillotta1, Emma Culver2, Amita Sharma3
1Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
A prompt response to glucocorticoids is a clinical hallmark of IgG4-related disease. However, manifestations characterised by prominent tissue fibrosis on histological examination can be less responsive to glucocorticoid therapy than other types of IgG4-related disease. These manifestations include retroperitoneal fibrosis, fibrosing mediastinitis, Riedel thyroiditis, orbital pseudotumor, and hypertrophic pachymeningitis, among others. To explain this discrepancy, a preliminary distinction into proliferative and fibrotic phenotypes of IgG4-related disease has been proposed on the basis of clinical presentation, pathological features, and response to immunosuppressive therapy. Implications of this classification for patient management remain an important area of investigation. In this Series paper, we aim to dissect the pathophysiology of tissue fibrosis in IgG4-related disease and discuss how clinicians should approach the management of fibrotic manifestations of IgG4-related disease based on the most recent diagnostic and therapeutic developments.
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