To report a case of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) that was initially misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer due to similar imaging and serological findings.
Approach:
Key Findings:
Serum IgG4 was markedly elevated at 10,022 μg/mL.
Histopathological examination revealed benign ductal epithelium with low proliferative activity and no evidence of adenocarcinoma.
Treatment with glucocorticoids resulted in normalization of serum IgG4 and CA19-9 levels.
Interpretation:
The case highlights the importance of including IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses.
Limitations:
The study is based on a single case report, which limits the generalizability of the findings.
Long-term outcomes beyond one year are not discussed.
Conclusion:
This case emphasizes the need for a systematic diagnostic approach in patients with pancreatic masses to differentiate between autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.