Autoimmune pancreatitis presenting as a pancreatic mass mimicking malignancy

Lo RSC, Singh RK, Austin AS, Freeman JG
Correspondence: Dr Robert SC Lo, robertlo@doctors.org.uk

ABSTRACT
Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare cause of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic mass. We describe a case of focal autoimmune pancreatitis in a 51-year-old man presenting with obstructive jaundice and pancreatic mass, mimicking malignancy. The immunological test was suggestive of autoimmune pancreatitis, and the patient responded well to a course of steroids, with complete resolution of the pancreatic mass. Autoimmune pancreatitis, therefore, must be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis of pancreatic mass. Recognition of this disease by its typical radiological and serological findings may help to avoid unnecessary surgical resection.

Keywords: autoimmune diseases, chronic pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice, pancreatic neoplasm, steroids
Singapore Med J 2011; 52(4): e79-e81