Gut Liver.  2015 Jan;9(1):113-117. 10.5009/gnl13473.

Characteristic Findings of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Autoimmune Pancreatitis

• Iwasaki S
• Kamisawa T
• Koizumi S
• Chiba K
• Tabata T
• Kuruma S
• Kuwata G
• Fujiwara T
• Koizumi K
• Arakawa T
• Momma K
• Hara S
• Igarashi Y

• KMID: 2380791
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl13473

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Diffuse or segmental irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), as observed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), is a characteristic feature of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).
METHODS
ERCP findings were retrospectively examined in 40 patients with AIP in whom irregular narrowing of the MPD was detected near the orifice. The MPD opening sign was defined as the MPD within 1.5 cm from the orifice being maintained. The distal common bile duct (CBD) sign was defined as the distal CBD within 1.5 cm from the orifice being maintained. Endoscopic findings of a swollen major papilla and histological findings of specimens obtained from the major papilla were examined in 26 and 21 patients, respectively.
RESULTS
The MPD opening sign was detected in 26 of the 40 patients (65%). The distal CBD sign was detected in 25 of the 32 patients (78%), which showed stenosis of the lower bile duct. The patients who showed the MPD opening sign frequently showed the distal CBD sign (p=0.018). Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, but not dense fibrosis, was histologically detected in biopsy specimens obtained from the major papilla.
CONCLUSIONS
On ERCP, the MPD and CBD adjacent to the major papilla are frequently maintained in patients with AIP involving the pancreatic head. These signs are useful for diagnosing AIP on ERCP.

Keyword

Pancreatitis, chronic; Cholangitis, sclerosing

MeSH Terms

Autoimmune Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology
*Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
Common Bile Duct/pathology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pancreas/pathology
Pancreatic Ducts/pathology
Pancreatitis/*diagnosis/pathology
Retrospective Studies