Korean J Med.
2007 Jul;73(1):81-85.
A case of autoimmune pancreatitis associated with pancreaticoliths and multiple parenchymal calcifications
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. mhkim@amc.seoul.kr
Abstract
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We report here on a case of autoimmune pancreatitis with pancreaticoliths and multiple parenchymal calcifications, and these do not usually occur in patients with ordinary chronic pancreatitis. A 51-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of her recent onset diabetes mellitus and abnormally appearing pancreas on CT. Based on the increased serum levels of Ig G and Ig G4, the positive rheumatoid factor and the characteristic findings on abdominal CT and ERCP, the patient was diagnosed with autoimmune pancreatitis, and she was treated with oral corticosteroids. After 2-month administration of prednisolone, CT and ERCP demonstrated a markedly improved pancreas and narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. After 1.5 years, the patient was readmitted because of a recurrent attack of autoimmune pancreatitis. Abdominal CT showed formation of parenchymal calcifications and pancreaticoliths and ERCP revealed pancreaticoliths. We suggest that autoimmune pancreatitis has a potential to be progressive, with parenchymal calcifications and pancreaticoliths, the same as ordinary chronic pancreatitis.