S3375 IgG4-Related Cholangitis and Autoimmune Pancreatitis Presenting With Weight Loss

Introduction: IgG4-related disease is an immune-mediated disease that can involve the pancreas and biliary tract. It is characterized by non-specific symptoms, including abdominal pain and weight loss. We present a case of IgG 4-related cholangitis and autoimmune pancreatitis presenting with weight loss. Case Description/Methods: A 72-year-old man with a past medical history of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) well controlled with hydroxychloroquine presented with 30 pounds of unintentional weight loss over 4 months and new onset dysphagia to solids. Labs showed newly elevated liver function tests (LFTs) with peak values of total bilirubin 1.4, aspartate aminotransferase of 133 U/L (0-34 U/L), alanine aminotransferase of 160 U/L (10-49 U/L) and alkaline phosphatase of 639 U/L (46-116 U/L). Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed mild to moderate intrahepatic biliary dilation with a minimal 8 mm dilation of the common bile duct (CBD). However, the CBD was noted to have an age-indeterminate thick enhancing wall concerning cholangitis. The patient subsequently underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), which showed diffusely low T1 signal with delayed enhancement of the pancreas with a slightly enlarged tail compared to the head, obscured pancreatic duct, and loss of normal lobular architecture. These findings suggest IgG-4 disease-related pancreatitis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed Los Angeles (LA) grade A esophagitis. Endoscopic ultrasound showed enlarged sausage-shaped parenchyma of the body and tail of the pancreas, suggestive of autoimmune pancreatitis and abnormal appearing common hepatic and CBD with thickened wall, measuring 3.6 mm. The lumen of the bile duct measured 3.1 mm. Further serum analysis revealed elevated Total IgG of 2043 mg/dL (767-1590 mg/dL) and elevated IgG subclass 4 of 529 mg/dL (2.4-121 mg/dL). The patient was started on prednisone 40 mg daily for 6 weeks with improved IgG4 from 529.9 to 206.7, LFTs normalized, and follow-up MRCP showed improvement in previous findings. He was then tapered off prednisone with the initiation of rituximab infusion by Rheumatology due to persistent elevation of IgG4 with weight gain and improvement in his symptoms. Discussion: IgG 4-related disease is an important differential diagnosis for weight loss, especially in a patient with underlying autoimmune disease. An accurate diagnosis can be made using a combination of imaging, radiologic, and sometimes histological findings.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14309/01.ajg.0001140960.84024.e7
Primary Topic
Pancreatitis Pathology and Treatment
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

S3375 IgG4-Related Cholangitis and Autoimmune Pancreatitis Presenting With Weight Loss

Karin Dunnigan, Ese Uwagbale, Mark McFarland, Venkat Arutla et al.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Pancreatitis Pathology and Treatment
article

S3375 IgG4-Related Cholangitis and Autoimmune Pancreatitis Presenting With Weight Loss

Karin Dunnigan, Ese Uwagbale, Mark McFarland, Venkat Arutla, Jason Gutman
article en

Abstract

Introduction: IgG4-related disease is an immune-mediated disease that can involve the pancreas and biliary tract. It is characterized by non-specific symptoms, including abdominal pain and weight loss. We present a case of IgG 4-related cholangitis and autoimmune pancreatitis presenting with weight loss. Case Description/Methods: A 72-year-old man with a past medical history of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) well controlled with hydroxychloroquine presented with 30 pounds of unintentional weight loss over 4 months and new onset dysphagia to solids. Labs showed newly elevated liver function tests (LFTs) with peak values of total bilirubin 1.4, aspartate aminotransferase of 133 U/L (0-34 U/L), alanine aminotransferase of 160 U/L (10-49 U/L) and alkaline phosphatase of 639 U/L (46-116 U/L). Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed mild to moderate intrahepatic biliary dilation with a minimal 8 mm dilation of the common bile duct (CBD). However, the CBD was noted to have an age-indeterminate thick enhancing wall concerning cholangitis. The patient subsequently underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), which showed diffusely low T1 signal with delayed enhancement of the pancreas with a slightly enlarged tail compared to the head, obscured pancreatic duct, and loss of normal lobular architecture. These findings suggest IgG-4 disease-related pancreatitis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed Los Angeles (LA) grade A esophagitis. Endoscopic ultrasound showed enlarged sausage-shaped parenchyma of the body and tail of the pancreas, suggestive of autoimmune pancreatitis and abnormal appearing common hepatic and CBD with thickened wall, measuring 3.6 mm. The lumen of the bile duct measured 3.1 mm. Further serum analysis revealed elevated Total IgG of 2043 mg/dL (767-1590 mg/dL) and elevated IgG subclass 4 of 529 mg/dL (2.4-121 mg/dL). The patient was started on prednisone 40 mg daily for 6 weeks with improved IgG4 from 529.9 to 206.7, LFTs normalized, and follow-up MRCP showed improvement in previous findings. He was then tapered off prednisone with the initiation of rituximab infusion by Rheumatology due to persistent elevation of IgG4 with weight gain and improvement in his symptoms. Discussion: IgG 4-related disease is an important differential diagnosis for weight loss, especially in a patient with underlying autoimmune disease. An accurate diagnosis can be made using a combination of imaging, radiologic, and sometimes histological findings.

The American Journal of GastroenterologyVol. 120(10S2)
Openalex Percentile: Top 52%
Pancreatitis Pathology and Treatment
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.