Internal medicine

Pathology

Inflammatory bowel disease

Disease

Autoimmunity

Gastroenterology

Cancer

Pancreatitis

Autoimmune pancreatitis

Pancreatic cancer

Medicine

Zhōnghuá xiāohuà wàikē zázhì/Zhonghua xiaohua waike zazhi

The purpose of this review is to provide a concise view of the existing knowledge of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) for practicing clinicians.AIP is a rare disease whose recognition and understanding are evolving.It is a type of chronic pancreatitis which often presents as obstructive jaundice,has a distinctive histology and is exquisitely sensitive to steroid therapy.This form of chronic pancreatitis has a unique clinical,biochemical,and radiological profile.The term “AIP” encompasses two subtypes:type 1 and type 2.Type 1 AIP is the pancreatic manifestation of a systemic fibro-inflammatory disease called IgG4 associated systemic diseases; type 2 AIP has been shown to be associated with inflammatory bowel disease.Existing criteria are geared towards the diagnosis of type 1 AIP.At present,pancreatic histology is a requirement for the definitive diagnosis of type 2 AIP.AIP can mimic most other pancreatic diseases in its presentation,but in clinical practice it often has to be differentiated from pancreatic cancer.There are established criteria and algorithms not only to diagnose AIP but also differentiate it from pancreatic cancer.The utility of these algorithms and the approach to management are discussed here.Key words: Pancreatitis;  Autoimmune;  Diagnosis; Treatment