Focal Autoimmune Pancreatitis: A Simple Flow Chart for a Challenging
                    Diagnosis

Clara Benedetta Conti; Fabrizio Cereatti; Andrea Drago; Roberto Grassia

doi:10.1055/a-1323-4906

Ultrasound International Open, Inhaltsverzeichnis

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Ultrasound Int Open 2020; 06(03): E67-E75
DOI: 10.1055/a-1323-4906

Review

Focal Autoimmune Pancreatitis: A Simple Flow Chart for a Challenging Diagnosis

Autoren

Clara Benedetta Conti

¹Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, ASST Cremona, Cremona, Italy
Fabrizio Cereatti

¹Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, ASST Cremona, Cremona, Italy
Andrea Drago

¹Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, ASST Cremona, Cremona, Italy
Roberto Grassia

¹Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, ASST Cremona, Cremona, Italy

Abstract

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a chronic fibroinflammatory autoimmune mediated disease of the pancreas. Clinically, obstructive painless jaundice and upper abdominal pain are the main symptoms. Focal AIP is characterized by segmental involvement of pancreatic parenchyma and it is often radiologically represented by a pancreatic mass. In these cases, the diagnosis can be very challenging, since it may be easily confused with pancreatic cancer. Therefore, we suggest a combined approach of imaging tests as the diagnostic workup. EUS study combined with CEUS and elastography, if available, increases the accuracy of the method to rule out cancer. Moreover, the lesion should always be sampled under EUS guidance to obtain a cyto/histological diagnosis. The diagnostic workup should also include the use of diagnostic clinical criteria (extrapancreatic lesions, steroid response) and laboratory findings (CA 19.9 and IgG4 evaluations).

Key words

pancreas - areas - structures & systems - abdomen - areas - structures & systems - endoscopy - methods & techniques - ultrasound

Volltext

Referenzen

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