21st April 2024

Autoimmune pancreatitis

Autoimmune pancreatitis is often associated with other autoimmune conditions and associated with raised IgG4 levels. Autoimmune pancreatitis is also less likely to present with abdominal pain in comparison with acute pancreatitis. Patients with autoimmune pancreatitis may develop extra-pancreatic manifestations such as diabetes. Features include obstructive jaundice, which is often painless. Imaging tends to show a characteristic diffuse pancreatic enlargement. This may cause jaundice due to biliary obstruction. The mainstay of management is steroid therapy.