Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Iqra Qamar M.D. [2]
Overview
Autoimmune pancreatitis needs to be differentiated from other diseases such as alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
Differentiating Autoimmune pancreatitis from other Diseases
Autoimmune pancreatitis needs to be differentiated from other diseases such as:[ 1] [ 2]
Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic cancer
Disease
Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis
Pancreatic cancer
Differentials based upon abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea:
Abbreviations:
RUQ = Right upper quadrant of the abdomen, LUQ = Left upper quadrant, LLQ = Left lower quadrant, RLQ = Right lower quadrant, LFT = Liver function test, SIRS= Systemic inflammatory response syndrome , ERCP = Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography , IV = Intravenous, N = Normal, AMA = Anti mitochondrial antibodies, LDH = Lactate dehydrogenase , GI = Gastrointestinal, CXR = Chest X ray, IgA = Immunoglobulin A , IgG = Immunoglobulin G , IgM = Immunoglobulin M , CT = Computed tomography , PMN = Polymorphonuclear cells, ESR = Erythrocyte sedimentation rate , CRP = C-reactive protein , TS= Transferrin saturation , SF= Serum Ferritin , SMA= Superior mesenteric artery , SMV= Superior mesenteric vein , ECG= Electrocardiogram
Disease
Clinical manifestations
Diagnosis
Comments
Symptoms
Signs
Abdominal Pain
Fever
Rigors and chills
Nausea or vomiting
Jaundice
Constipation
Diarrhea
Weight loss
GI bleeding
Hypo-
tension
Guarding
Rebound Tenderness
Bowel sounds
Lab Findings
Imaging
Chronic pancreatitis
Epigastric
−
−
±
±
−
+
+
−
−
−
−
N
Increased amylase / lipase
Increased stool fat content
Pancreatic function test
CT scan
Calcification
Pseudocyst
Dilation of main pancreatic duct
Predisposes to pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic carcinoma
Epigastric
−
−
+
+
−
+
+
−
−
−
−
N
Skin manifestations may include:
Dumping syndrome
Lower and then diffuse
−
−
+
−
−
+
+
−
+
−
−
Hyperactive
Glucose challenge test
Hydrogen breath test
Upper GI series
Gastric emptying study
Inflammatory bowel disease
Diffuse
±
−
−
±
−
+
+
+
−
−
−
Normal or hyperactive
Extra intestinal findings:
Irritable bowel syndrome
Diffuse
−
−
−
−
±
±
+
−
−
−
−
N
Normal
Normal
Symptomatic treatment
Whipple's disease
Diffuse
±
−
−
±
−
+
+
−
±
−
−
N
Endoscopy is used to confirm diagnosis.
Images used to find complications
Extra intestinal findings:
Disease
Abdominal Pain
Fever
Rigors and chills
Nausea or vomiting
Jaundice
Constipation
Diarrhea
Weight loss
GI bleeding
Hypo-
tension
Guarding
Rebound Tenderness
Bowel sounds
Lab Findings
Imaging
Comments
Tropical sprue
Diffuse
+
−
−
−
−
+
+
−
−
−
−
N
Barium studies:
Dilation and edema of mucosal folds
Celiac disease
Diffuse
−
−
−
−
−
+
+
−
−
−
−
Hyperactive
US:
Bull’s eye or target pattern
Pseudokidney sign
Colon carcinoma
Diffuse/localized
−
−
−
−
±
±
+
+
±
−
−
Normal or hyperactive if obstruction present
CBC
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Colonoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Barium enema
CT colonography
PILLCAM 2: A colon capsule for CRC screening may be used in patients with an incomplete colonoscopy who lacks obstruction
Viral hepatitis
RUQ
+
−
+
+
−
Positive in Hep A and E
+
−
Positive in fulminant hepatitis
Positive in acute
+
N
Abnormal LFTs
Viral serology
Hep A and E have fecal-oral route of transmission
Hep B and C transmits via blood transfusion and sexual contact.
Liver abscess
RUQ
+
+
+
+
−
±
+
−
+
+
±
Normal or hypoactive
Mesenteric ischemia
Periumbilical
Positive if bowel becomes gangrenous
−
+
−
−
+
+
+
Positive if bowel becomes gangrenous
Positive if bowel becomes gangrenous
−
Hyperactive to absent
CT angiography
Also known as abdominal angina that worsens with eating
Acute ischemic colitis
Diffuse
+
±
+
−
−
+
+
+
+
+
+
Hyperactive then absent
Abdominal x-ray
Distension and pneumatosis
CT scan
Double halo appearance, thumbprinting
Thickening of bowel
To review the differential diagnosis of Abdominal pain, click here .
References
↑ Horiuchi A, Kawa S, Hamano H, Hayama M, Ota H, Kiyosawa K (2002). "ERCP features in 27 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis". Gastrointest. Endosc . 55 (4): 494–9. PMID 11923760 .
↑ Hamano H, Kawa S, Horiuchi A, Unno H, Furuya N, Akamatsu T, Fukushima M, Nikaido T, Nakayama K, Usuda N, Kiyosawa K (2001). "High serum IgG4 concentrations in patients with sclerosing pancreatitis". N. Engl. J. Med . 344 (10): 732–8. doi :10.1056/NEJM200103083441005 . PMID 11236777 .
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