Multiple pancreatic masses associated with autoimmunity

Am J Gastroenterol. 1998 Jan;93(1):99-102. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1998.099_c.x.

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman was detected to have a high titer of serum gamma-globulin, positive antinuclear antibody and multiple pancreatic masses. In the course of 1 yr, Sjögren's syndrome developed, and her pancreatic masses spread diffusely and compressed the main pancreatic duct. A pancreatic biopsy by an exploration of the abdomen showed that many CD4 positive T-lymphocytes had infiltrated to the ducts and acinar cells expressing HLA-DR antigens. This suggested a diagnosis of autoimmune-related pancreatitis. She was treated with oral prednisolone, and a marked improvement of the above abnormal findings followed. In this report, a case of autoimmune-related multiple pancreatic masses associated with Sjögren's syndrome is presented, and a possible mechanism is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / analysis
  • Autoimmune Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Biopsy
  • Blotting, Western
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Pancreatitis / diagnosis
  • Pancreatitis / drug therapy
  • Pancreatitis / etiology*
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • gamma-Globulins / analysis

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • gamma-Globulins
  • Prednisolone