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BackgroundThis study’s primary aim was to evaluate the impact of thrombotic complications on the development of secondary infections. The secondary aim was to compare the etiology of secondary infections in patients with and without thrombotic complications.MethodsThis was a cohort study (NCT04318366) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients hospitalized at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital between February 25 and June 30, 2020. Incidence rates (IRs) were calculated by univariable Poisson regression as the number of cases per 1000 person-days of follow-up (PDFU) with 95% confidence intervals. The cumulative incidence functions of secondary infections according to thrombotic complications were compared with Gray's method accounting for competing risk of death. A multivariable Fine-Gray model was applied to assess factors associated with risk of secondary infections.ResultsOverall, 109/904 patients had 176 secondary infections (IR, 10.0; 95% CI, 8.8–11.5; per 1000-PDFU). The IRs of secondary infections among patients with or without thrombotic complications were 15.0 (95% CI, 10.7–21.0) and 9.3 (95% CI, 7.9–11.0) per 1000-PDFU, respectively (P = .017). At multivariable analysis, thrombotic complications were associated with the development of secondary infections (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.788; 95% CI, 1.018–3.140; P = .043). The etiology of secondary infections was similar in patients with and without thrombotic complications.ConclusionsIn patients with COVID-19, thrombotic complications were associated with a high risk of secondary infections.

Highlight • This is the first study comparing tocilizumab to standard of care in severe COVID-19 • Tocilizumab in severe COVID-19 patients did influence 28-day clinical outcomes • Tocilizumab safety was safisfactory except for ICU-admitted patients, Background : Tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, has been proposed for the treatment of COVID-19 patients; however, limited data are available on the safety and efficacy. Methods : We performed a retrospective study on severe COVID-19 patients with hyper-inflammatory features admitted outside intensive care units (ICUs). Patients treated with intravenous TCZ in addition to standard of care were compared to patients treated with standard of care alone. Safety and efficacy were assessed over a 28-day follow-up. Results : 65 patients were included, 32 were of whose treated with TCZ. At baseline, all patients were on high-flow supplemental oxygen and most (78% of TCZ patients and 61% of standard treatment patients) were on non-invasive ventilation. During the 28-day follow-up, 69% of TCZ patients experienced a clinical improvement compared to 61% of standard treatment patients (p = 0.61). Mortality was 15% in the tocilizumab group and 33% in standard treatment group (p = 0.15). In TCZ group, at multivariate analysis, older age was a predictor of death, whereas higher baseline PaO2:FiO2 was a predictor of clinical improvement at day 28. The rate of infection and pulmonary thrombosis was similar between the two groups. Conclusions : At day 28, clinical improvement and mortality were not statistically significant different between tocilizumab and standard treatment patients in our cohort. Bacterial or fungal infections were recorded in 13% of tocilizumab patients and in 12% of standard treatment patients. Confirmation of efficacy and safety will require ongoing controlled trials.

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) can cause fibroinflammatory lesions in nearly any organ. Correlation among clinical, serological, radiological and pathological data is required for diagnosis. This work was undertaken to develop and validate an international set of classification criteria for IgG4-RD. An international multispecialty group of 86 physicians was assembled by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). Investigators used consensus exercises; existing literature; derivation and validation cohorts of 1879 subjects (1086 cases, 793 mimickers); and multicriterion decision analysis to identify, weight and test potential classification criteria. Two independent validation cohorts were included. A three-step classification process was developed. First, it must be demonstrated that a potential IgG4-RD case has involvement of at least one of 11 possible organs in a manner consistent with IgG4-RD. Second, exclusion criteria consisting of a total of 32 clinical, serological, radiological and pathological items must be applied; the presence of any of these criteria eliminates the patient from IgG4-RD classification. Third, eight weighted inclusion criteria domains, addressing clinical findings, serological results, radiological assessments and pathological interpretations, are applied. In the first validation cohort, a threshold of 20 points had a specificity of 99.2% (95% CI 97.2% to 99.8%) and a sensitivity of 85.5% (95% CI 81.9% to 88.5%). In the second, the specificity was 97.8% (95% CI 93.7% to 99.2%) and the sensitivity was 82.0% (95% CI 77.0% to 86.1%). The criteria were shown to have robust test characteristics over a wide range of thresholds. ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-RD have been developed and validated in a large cohort of patients. These criteria demonstrate excellent test performance and should contribute substantially to future clinical, epidemiological and basic science investigations.

Objective An unconventional population of CD4+ signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family member 7-positive (SLAMF7+) cytotoxic effector memory T (TEM ) cells (CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes [CTLs]) has been linked causally to IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Glucocorticoids represent the first-line therapeutic approach in patients with IgG4-RD, but their mechanism of action in this specific condition remains unknown. We undertook this study to determine the impact of glucocorticoids on CD4+ CTLs in IgG4-RD. Methods Expression of CD8α, granzyme A, perforin, and SLAMF7 within the effector memory compartment of CD45RO+ (TEM ) and CD45RA+ effector memory T (TEMRA ) CD4+ cells was quantified by flow cytometry in 18 patients with active IgG4-RD, both at baseline and after 6 months of glucocorticoid treatment. Eighteen healthy subjects were studied as controls. Next-generation sequencing of the T cell receptor α- and β-chain gene was performed on circulating CD4+ CTLs from patients with IgG4-RD before and after treatment and in affected tissues. Results Circulating CD4+ TEM and TEMRA cells were not expanded in IgG4-RD patients compared to healthy controls. CD4+SLAMF7+ TEM cells (but not TEMRA cells) were significantly increased among IgG4-RD patients. Within CD4+SLAMF7+ TEM cells, CD8α- cells but not CD8αlow cells were elevated in IgG4-RD patients. The same dominant clones of CD8α-CD4+SLAMF7+ TEM cells found in peripheral blood were also identified in affected tissue. CD8α- and CD8αlow CD4+SLAMF7+ TEM cells both expressed cytolytic molecules. Clonally expanded CD8α- but not CD8αlow CD4+SLAMF7+ TEM cells decreased following glucocorticoid-induced disease remission. Conclusion A subset of CD8α-CD4+SLAMF7+ cytotoxic TEM cells is oligoclonally expanded in patients with active IgG4-RD. This TEM cell population contracts following glucocorticoid-induced remission. Further characterization of this cell population may provide prognostic information and targets for therapeutic intervention.

Intrathecal administration of rituximab—an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody—is emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy for B cell lymphomas of the central nervous system (CNS).1 2 The rationale for administering rituximab directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) stems from the need to achieve optimal therapeutic concentrations within the intrathecal compartment. Rituximab, in fact, has a high molecular weight and only 0.1%–0.5% of its plasmatic concentrations crosses the ‘blood-brain barrier’ (BBB) after intravenous infusion.1 In addition, despite inducing prolonged depletion of circulating B lymphocytes, systemic rituximab does not affect malignant B cells in CNS lymphomas.2 Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is the most frequently encountered CNS manifestation of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a fibroinflammatory condition of unclear aetiology.3 The intrathecal synthesis of IgG4 in patients with IgG4-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis(RHP) and the clinical improvement after rituximab in patients with systemic involvement, support a pathogenic role of B lymphocytes.4–6 Among IgG4-RD manifestations, however, IgG4-RHP stands out for a certain resistance to intravenous rituximab raising the possibility that systemic administration might not be as effective on putative pathogenic B cells residing in inflammatory niches within the CNS.4 Here, we report the first case of IgG4-RHP treated with intrathecal rituximab. A young adult patient was admitted in April 2015 for rapidly progressive frontal headache and complete visual loss on the right eye. Imaging studies of the head and neck revealed diffuse pachymeningitis with bone erosions, thickening of the nasal septum, hard palate tumefaction, and bilateral optic neuritis; neuro-ophthalmological examination reported asymmetrical signs of optic nerve fibre atrophy (right >left) with loss of colour vision and complete depression of the visual field on the right eye (figure 1 and see online supplementary figure e1). Laboratory and CSF analyses at the time of admission are reported in online …

Objective: A series of destructive and tumefactive lesions of the midline structures have been recently added to the spectrum of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). We examined the clinical, serological, endoscopic, radiological, and histological features that might be of utility in distinguishing IgG4-RD from other forms of inflammatory conditions with the potential to involve the sinonasal area and the oral cavity. Methods: We studied 11 consecutive patients with erosive and/or tumefactive lesions of the midline structures referred to our tertiary care center. All patients underwent serum IgG4 measurement, flow cytometry for circulating plasmablast counts, nasal endoscopy, radiological studies, and histological evaluation of tissue specimens. The histological studies included immunostaining studies to assess the number of IgG4 + plasma cells/HPF for calculation of the IgG4+/IgG + plasma cell ratio. Results: Five patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), three with cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions (CIMDL), and three with IgG4-RD were studied. We found no clinical, endoscopic, or radiological findings specific for IgG4-RD. Increased serum IgG4 and plasmablasts levels were not specific for IgG4-RD. Rather, all 11 patients had elevated blood plasmablast concentrations, and several patients with GPA and CIMDL had elevated serum IgG4 levels. Storiform fibrosis and an IgG4+/IgG + plasma cell ratio >20% on histological examination, however, were observed only in patients with IgG4-RD. Conclusions: Histological examination of bioptic samples from the sinonasal area and oral cavity represents the mainstay for the diagnosis of IgG4-RD involvement of the midline structures

BACKGROUND: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibroinflammatory condition characterized by serum IgG4 elevation and tissue infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells. Substantial overlap between IgG4-RD and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) exists in terms of organ involvement and histopathological features. A positive ANCA assay is regarded as a highly specific finding in favor of an AAV, and generally influences away from a diagnosis of IgG4-RD. Recent reports, however, have raised the possibility that some patients with IgG4-RD are ANCA positive, thus suggesting reconsideration of the role of ANCA in the diagnostic workup. In the present work, we describe the first case of concomitant biopsy-proven IgG4-RD and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), demonstrating antiproteinase 3 (PR3) ANCA of the IgG4 subclass in the patient's serum. We also review the literature in order to provide clinicians with tools for interpreting ANCA positivity in IgG4-RD patients. CASE SUMMARY: A 51-year-old woman was referred for left exopthalmos due to lacrimal gland enlargement and increased serum IgG4 concentration. IgG4-RD was suspected and further imaging studies disclosed multiple pulmonary masses in the right lung. Histological analysis of the left lacrimal gland was diagnostic for IgG4-RD, but lung biopsy showed typical features of GPA. ANCA assay was positive for anti-PR3 antibodies. Further immunofluorescence studies demonstrated anti-PR3 antibodies of IgG1 and IgG4 subclass. Treatment with rituximab induced swift remission of both IgG4-RD and GPA manifestations. We identified 9 other reports of patients with IgG4-RD and positive ANCA in the English literature, 5 cases with biopsy-proven IgG4-RD and 4 cases in whom IgG4-RD was diagnosed presumptively. Four patients had also histological evidence of concomitant AAV. CONCLUSION: The present work demonstrates that ANCA positivity in patients with biopsy-proven IgG4-RD should prompt the exclusion of a concomitant vasculitic process; a positive ANCA does not exclude the diagnosis of IgG4-RD; confirmation through immunoenzymatic assays of the ANCA specificity, clinical-pathological correlation, and histopathological evaluation remain crucial steps for the differential diagnosis between AAV and IgG4-RD. ZB 0 Z8 0 ZR 0 ZS 0

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-ueg-10.1177_2050640620934911 for European Guideline on IgG4-related digestive disease – UEG and SGF evidence-based recommendations by J-Matthias Löhr, Ulrich Beuers, Miroslav Vujasinovic, Domenico Alvaro, Jens Brøndum Frøkjær, Frank Buttgereit, Gabriele Capurso, Emma L Culver, Enrique de-Madaria, Emanuel Della-Torre, Sönke Detlefsen, Enrique Dominguez-Muñoz, Piotr Czubkowski, Nils Ewald, Luca Frulloni, Natalya Gubergrits, Deniz Guney Duman, Thilo Hackert, Julio Iglesias-Garcia, Nikolaos Kartalis, Andrea Laghi, Frank Lammert, Fredrik Lindgren, Alexey Okhlobystin, Grzegorz Oracz, Andrea Parniczky, Raffaella Maria Pozzi Mucelli, Vinciane Rebours, Jonas Rosendahl, Nicolas Schleinitz, Alexander Schneider, Eric FH van Bommel, Caroline Sophie Verbeke, Marie Pierre Vullierme, Heiko Witt and the UEG guideline working group in United European Gastroenterology Journal

Summary Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibroinflammatory condition that derives its name from the characteristic finding of abundant IgG4+ plasma cells in affected tissues, as well as the presence of elevated serum IgG4 concentrations in many patients. In contrast to fibrotic disorders, such as systemic sclerosis or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in which the tissues fibrosis has remained largely intractable to treatment, many IgG4-RD patients appear to have a condition in which the collagen deposition is reversible. The mechanisms underlying this peculiar feature remain unknown, but the remarkable efficacy of B cell depletion in these patients supports an important pathogenic role of B cell/T cell collaboration. In particular, aberrant T helper type 2 (Th2)/regulatory T cells sustained by putative autoreactive B cells have been proposed to drive collagen deposition through the production of profibrotic cytokines, but definitive demonstrations of this hypothesis are lacking. Indeed, a number of unsolved questions need to be addressed in order to fully understand the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD. These include the identification of an antigenic trigger(s), the implications (if any) of IgG4 antibodies for pathophysiology and the precise immunological mechanisms leading to fibrosis. Recent investigations have also raised the possibility that innate immunity might precede adaptive immunity, thus further complicating the pathological scenario. Here, we aim to review the most recent insights on the immunology of IgG4-RD, focusing on the relative contribution of innate and adaptive immune responses to the full pathological phenotype of this fibrotic condition. Clinical, histological and therapeutic features are also addressed.

Objective IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) can cause fibroinflammatory lesions in nearly any organ. Correlation among clinical, serologic, radiologic, and pathologic data is required for diagnosis. This work was undertaken to develop and validate an international set of classification criteria for IgG4-RD. Methods An international multispecialty group of 86 physicians was assembled by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). Investigators used consensus exercises, existing literature, derivation and validation cohorts of 1,879 subjects (1,086 cases, 793 mimickers), and multicriterion decision analysis to identify, weight, and test potential classification criteria. Two independent validation cohorts were included. Results A 3-step classification process was developed. First, it must be demonstrated that a potential IgG4-RD case has involvement of at least 1 of 11 possible organs in a manner consistent with IgG4-RD. Second, exclusion criteria consisting of a total of 32 clinical, serologic, radiologic, and pathologic items must be applied; the presence of any of these criteria eliminates the patient from IgG4-RD classification. Third, 8 weighted inclusion criteria domains, addressing clinical findings, serologic results, radiology assessments, and pathology interpretations, are applied. In the first validation cohort, a threshold of 20 points had a specificity of 99.2% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 97.2-99.8%) and a sensitivity of 85.5% (95% CI 81.9-88.5%). In the second, the specificity was 97.8% (95% CI 93.7-99.2%) and the sensitivity was 82.0% (95% CI 77.0-86.1%). The criteria were shown to have robust test characteristics over a wide range of thresholds. Conclusion ACR/EULAR classification criteria for IgG4-RD have been developed and validated in a large cohort of patients. These criteria demonstrate excellent test performance and should contribute substantially to future clinical, epidemiologic, and basic science investigations.

BACKGROUND: The antigenic trigger that drives the expansion of circulating plasmablasts and CD4(+) cytotoxic T cells (CD4(+) CTLs) in patients with IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD) is presently unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to sequence Ig genes from single cell clones of dominantly-expanded plasmablasts and generate recombinant human monoclonal antibodies to identify relevant antigens in IgG4-RD using mass spectrometry. METHODS: Paired heavy and light chain cDNAs from dominant plasmablast clones were expressed as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and used to purify antigens using immunoaffinity chromatography. Affinity-purified antigens were identified by mass spectrometry and validated by ELISA. Plasma levels of the antigen of interest were also determined using ELISA RESULTS: mAbs expressed from the two dominant plasmablast clones of a patient with multi-organ IgG4-RD stained human pancreatic tissue sections. Galectin-3 was identified as the antigen specifically recognized by both mAbs. Anti-galectin-3 autoantibody responses were predominantly of the IgG4 isotype (28% of the IgG4-RD cohort, p = 0.0001) and IgE isotype (11% of IgG4-RD cohort, p = 0.009). No significant responses were seen from the IgG1, IgG2 or IgG3 isotypes. IgG4 anti-galectin-3 autoantibodies correlated with elevated plasma galectin-3 levels (p=0.001), lymphadenopathy (p=0.04), total IgG elevation (p=0.05), and IgG4 elevation (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Affinity chromatography using patient-derived monoclonal antibodies identifies relevant auto-antigens in IgG4-RD. IgG4 galectin-3 autoantibodies are present in a subset of IgG4-RD patients and correlate with galectin-3 plasma levels. The marked elevations of circulating IgG4 and IgE observed clinically are, at least in part, due to the development of IgG4 and IgE specific autoantibody responses.

Cocaine abuse occasionally causes extensive destruction of the osteocartilaginous structures of the nose, sinuses and palate, which mimics the clinical picture of other diseases associated with necrotising midfacial lesions. The differentiation of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions (CIMDL) and limited granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) may be difficult, particularly if patients do not readily admit substance abuse. We studied 10 patients with CIMDL and palate perforation referred to our Unit between 2002 and 2015. All cases underwent nasal endoscopy, sinus CT or MRI and ANCA test. In 8 patients, a nasal biopsy was performed. The PubMed database was searched to review all cases of palate perforation described in patients affected by CIMDL or GPA. All 10 cases presented with septal perforation and inferior turbinate destruction. We found hard palate perforation in 7 patients, soft palate perforation in 2 patients, and perforation of both in one patient. ANCA testing was negative in 8 patients and positive in 2, with C-ANCA and P-ANCA specificity, respectively. A review of the English literature identified palate perforation in 5 patients with GPA and in 73 patients with CIMDL. The presence of palate perforation in patients with MDL may represent a clinical marker that strongly favors CIMDL over GPA.L’ abuso di cocaina può talvolta causare lesioni destruenti della struttura osteocartilaginea del naso, dei seni paranasali, del palato, con caratteristiche cliniche che ricordano altre patologie sistemiche associate a lesioni necrotizzanti centrofacciali. La diagnosi differenziale tra lesioni destruenti della linea mediana indotte da cocaina (CIMDL) e granulomatosi associata a poliangioite (GPA) può essere complessa, in particolare se il paziente non ammette l’abuso di sostanze. 10 pazienti con CIMDL e perforazione palatale sono stati trattati presso la nostra Unità Operativa tra il 2002 ed il 2015. Tutti i casi sono stati sottoposti ad endoscopia nasale, TC o RMN del massiccio facciale ed Anca test. In 8 casi è stata effettuata anche la biopsia nasale. Contestualmente è stata eseguita una revisione della letteratura presente su PubMed riguardante i casi di perforazione palatale in pazienti affetti da CIMDL e GPA. Tutti i 10 pazienti oggetto dello studio presentavano perforazione palatale e distruzione dei turbinati inferiori; inoltre 7 pazienti presentavano perforazione del palato duro , 2 pazienti perforazione del palato molle ed 1 paziente perforazione di entrambi. Gli Anca test erano negativi in 8 pazienti e positivi in 2, sia per C-Anca sia per P-Anca. La revisione della letteratura edita in lingua inglese ha evidenziato perforazioni palatali in 5 pazienti affetti da GPA e in 73 pazienti affetti da CIMDL. La presenza di perforazione palatale in pazienti con lesioni destruenti della linea mediana può rappresentare un nuovo marker clinico a favore delle CIMDL nella diagnosi differenziale con GPA.

Abtract Objectives To describe the clinical, pathological, serological, and radiological characteristics of juxta-vertebral masses occurring in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Methods We analyzed the clinical records of patients with juxta-vertebral lesions from our GPA study cohort and reviewed the English literature for other cases of GPA with juxta-vertebral localization. Results Out of 74 patients in our GPA study cohort, six (8%) had juxta-vertebral lesions. We found 10 cases of juxta-vertebral GPA described in the English literature. Overall, juxta-vertebral lesions were detected at GPA onset in 11/16 (69%) patients, and preferentially occurred on the right side of the spine (12/15 patients, 80%). Fifteen patients (94%) with juxta-vertebral lesions had systemic GPA. Juxta-vertebral lesions were associated with back pain at GPA onset in 8/16 (50%) patients. In all of them juxta-vertebral lesions resolved or improved after treatment. Conclusions Preference for the right-anterior side of the spine, increased 18 FDG uptake on PET scan, low or absent invasiveness of the surrounding tissues, and occurrence in the context of systemic disease were the main features of juxta-vertebral GPA. Symptomatic lesions showed a better response to immunosuppressive therapies.

Objectives: To describe the clinical features, treatment response, and follow-up of a large cohort of Italian patients with immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) referred to a single tertiary care centre.Method: Clinical, laboratory, histological, and imaging features were retrospectively reviewed. IgG4-RD was classified as definite' or possible' according to international consensus guidelines and comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD. Disease activity was assessed by means of the IgG4-RD Responder Index (IgG4-RD RI).Results: Forty-one patients (15 females, 26 males) were included in this study: 26 with definite' IgG4-RD and 15 with possible' IgG4-RD. The median age at diagnosis was 62years. The median follow-up was 36 months (IQR 24-51). A history of atopy was present in 30% of patients. The pancreas, retroperitoneum, and major salivary glands were the most frequently involved organs. Serum IgG4 levels were elevated in 68% of cases. Thirty-six patients were initially treated with glucocorticoids (GCs) to induce remission. IgG4-RD RI decreased from a median of 7.8 at baseline to 2.9 after 1month of therapy. Relapse occurred in 19/41 patients (46%) and required additional immunosuppressive drugs to maintain long-term remission. Multiple flares occurred in a minority of patients. A single case of orbital pseudotumour did not respond to medical therapy and underwent surgical debulking.Conclusions: IgG4-RD is an elusive inflammatory disease to be considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated or multiple tumefactive lesions. Long-term disease control can be achieved with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs in the majority of cases. ZB 0 ZR 0 ZS 0 Objectives: To describe the clinical features, treatment response, and follow-up of a large cohort of Italian patients with immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) referred to a single tertiary care centre.Method: Clinical, laboratory, histological, and imaging features were retrospectively reviewed. IgG4-RD was classified as definite' or possible' according to international consensus guidelines and comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD. Disease activity was assessed by means of the IgG4-RD Responder Index (IgG4-RD RI).Results: Forty-one patients (15 females, 26 males) were included in this study: 26 with definite' IgG4-RD and 15 with possible' IgG4-RD. The median age at diagnosis was 62years. The median follow-up was 36 months (IQR 24-51). A history of atopy was present in 30% of patients. The pancreas, retroperitoneum, and major salivary glands were the most frequently involved organs. Serum IgG4 levels were elevated in 68% of cases. Thirty-six patients were initially treated with glucocorticoids (GCs) to induce remission. IgG4-RD RI decreased from a median of 7.8 at baseline to 2.9 after 1month of therapy. Relapse occurred in 19/41 patients (46%) and required additional immunosuppressive drugs to maintain long-term remission. Multiple flares occurred in a minority of patients. A single case of orbital pseudotumour did not respond to medical therapy and underwent surgical debulking.Conclusions: IgG4-RD is an elusive inflammatory disease to be considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated or multiple tumefactive lesions. Long-term disease control can be achieved with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs in the majority of cases.