Presentation and management of post-treatment relapse in autoimmune pancreatitis/immunoglobulin G4-associated cholangitis.

Background & Aims: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a multisystem disorder that often has extrapancreatic manifestations such as immunoglobulin G4-associated cholangitis (IAC). Patients respond rapidly to steroids but can relapse after therapy. We assessed the clinical management of relapse in a group of patients with AIP/IAC.

Complications and diagnostic difficulties arising from biliary self-expanding metal stent insertion before definitive histological diagnosis.

Background: Self-expanding metal bile duct stents provide good palliation for inoperable malignant disease. However, problems may arise if metal stents are inserted before definitive histological diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of such patients.

Autoimmune pancreatitis: clinical and radiological features and objective response to steroid therapy in a UK series.

Objective: Most cases of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) have been reported from Japan. We present data on a UK series, including clinical and radiological features at presentation, and longitudinal response to immunosuppression.

Methods: Over an 18-month period, all patients diagnosed in our center with AIP were studied.

The use of immunoglobulin g4 immunostaining in diagnosing pancreatic and extrapancreatic involvement in autoimmune pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is recognized increasingly as a multisystem disorder. We evaluated the use of immunoglobulin (Ig)G4 immunostaining of pancreatic and extrapancreatic biopsy specimens to make a definitive diagnosis of AIP.

Methods: Seventeen biopsy specimens and 3 gallbladder resections were assessed from 11 patients with clinical and radiologic features of AIP.

Photodynamic therapy of malignant biliary strictures using meso-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin.

Objectives: The palliation of patients with malignant bile duct obstruction using metal or plastic biliary stents may be limited by stent occlusion. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of endoscopically delivered meso-tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorin photodynamic therapy in the treatment of irresectable malignant biliary strictures and recurrent stent occlusion.

Methods: Thirteen patients with malignant biliary obstruction owing to carcinoma of the biliary tract (n=9), pancreas (n=3) or stomach (n=1), were studied.

Prospective comparison of secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with manometry in the diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction types II and III.

Background: In sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) predicts the response to sphincterotomy, but is invasive and associated with complications.

Aim: To evaluate the role of secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (ss-MRCP) in predicting the results of SOM in patients with suspected type II or III SOD.

Methods: MRCP was performed at baseline and at 1, 3, 5 and 7 min after intravenous secretin.