INCIDENTAL MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT SYNDROME (MALS) IN A YOUNG PATIENT WITH RECURRENT PANCREATITIS SECONDARY TO PROBABLE IgG4-RELATED DISEASE

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare entity that is an important cause of recurrent or chronic pancreatitis.It is divided into two types, of which type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis is a manifestation of the spectrum of diseases associated with the elevation of serum levels of immunoglobulin G subclass 4 (IgG4).In this report,we discuss the case of a 22-year-old man with a history of acute pancreatitis presenting with recurrent abdominal pain and vomiting without classical risk factors for acute pancreatitis. Initial clinical and investigational findings were consistent with a diagnosis of pancreatitis; however,common causes of pancreatitis were ruled out.The patient was evaluated for rare causes of recurrent episodes of pancreatitis. The elevation of the IgG4 in the serum established the diagnosis and unmasked his underlying autoimmune condition.