autoimmune pancreatitis

autoimmune pancreatitis

A condition characterised by diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and irregular stenosis of the main pancreatic duct (less commonly, also of the intrapancreatic bile duct on ERCP, associated with other autoimmune diseases).

Lab
Increased IgG4 autoantibodies.

Management
Corticosteroids.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

autoimmune pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas featuring an autoimmune process with obvious lymphocyte infiltration and fibrosis causing organ dysfunction. The disease takes a range of forms and includes conditions formerly known as chronic sclerosing pancreatitis, non-alcoholic duct-destructive chrinic pancreatitis, pseudotumerous pancreatitis and duct-narrowing chronic pancreatitis.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005