Korean J Med.  2014 Aug;87(2):182-186. 10.3904/kjm.2014.87.2.182.

A Case of IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis with a 6-year Natural Clinical Course

• Kim TO
• Kim MH
• Choi JH
• Lim DH
• Park S
• Choi JH
• Kim JH

• KMID: 1710028
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2014.87.2.182

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is a rare disease characterized by increased serum levels of IgG4 and dense infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells with fibrosis in the bile duct wall. IgG4-SC is frequently associated with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and typically shows an excellent response to steroid therapy. Despite recent progress in understanding the clinical presentation of IgG4-SC, its diagnosis still remains a challenge, particularly if it manifests as an isolated hilar stricture with normal serum IgG4 concentrations. In this article, we report the case of a 75-year-old man with IgG4-SC in whom it was difficult to distinguish hilar cholangiocarcinoma due to the normal serum IgG4 concentration and no accompanying AIP. He had an indolent clinical course and showed slow progression of a bile duct lesion over 6 years.

Keyword

Immunoglobulin G4; Sclerosing cholangitis; Cholangiocarcinoma

MeSH Terms

Aged
Bile Ducts
Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangitis, Sclerosing*
Constriction, Pathologic
Diagnosis
Fibrosis
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins
Pancreatitis
Plasma Cells
Rare Diseases
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins