Autoimmune chronic pancreatitis.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a new clinical entity recently described. Histologically it consists of a lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with diffuse fibrosis. Pancreatic imaging on US, CT and ERCP shows diffuse enlargement of the pancreatic gland and an irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct. Hypergammaglobulinemia, increased serum levels of total IgG or IgG4, positive antilactoferrin and anti carbonic anhydrase II autoantibodies are quite frequently found in autoimmune pancreatitis. Laboratory data, pancreatic images and diabetes mellitus improve under oral steroid therapy.