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Background: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by IgG4-positive plasma cells. Recent evidence suggests that it is a systemic disease affecting various organs. Tubulointerstitial nephritis has been reported in association with AIP. Purpose: To investigate the incidence and types of renal involvement in patients with AIP. Material and Methods: Eighteen patients with no history of renal disease and a diagnosis of AIP (on the basis of histopathologic findings or a combination of characteristic imaging features, increased serum IgG4 levels, and response to steroid treatment) were included. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging and follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years. CT images were reviewed for the presence of renal lesions. Results: Seven patients had renal involvement (38.8%). None of the lesions was visible on non-contrast-enhanced CT scan. Parenchymal lesions appeared as multiple nodules showing decreased enhancement (four cases). Pyelonephritis, lymphoma, and metastases were considered in the differential diagnosis. An ill-defined low-attenuation mass-like lesion was found in one patient, while diffuse thickening of the renal pelvis wall was evident in the last two cases. Renal lesions regressed in all patients after steroid treatment, the larger one leaving a fibrous cortical scar. Conclusion: Different types of renal lesions in patients with AIP are relatively common, appearing as multiple nodules with decreased enhancement. These findings support the proposed concept of an IgG4-related systemic disease. Autoimmune disease should be suspected in cases of renal involvement in association with pancreatic focal or diffuse enlargement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and C-reactive protein as a clinical index and computed tomography-based severity index (CTSI) in predicting the course of acute pancreatitis., Methods: One hundred forty-eight patients with acute pancreatitis were enrolled in the study during a 2-year period. All data concerning etiology, Atlanta classification, CT findings, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, C-reactive protein levels, stay in the intensive care unit, length of hospital stay, treatment, complications, and deaths were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, Pearson, and Spearman statistical tests. The CT was performed on a spiral unit after intravenous administration of contrast material. Images were graded according to the Balthazar-CTSI scoring system., Results: A very good correlation was noticed between Balthazar-CTSI scores and local complications, whereas no statistically significant correlation was found between CT scores and stay in the intensive care unit. Among survivors and nonsurvivors, there were no statistically significant differences as far as CT scores were concerned., Conclusions: Although the extent of necrosis as defined on contrast-enhanced CT examinations is considered as a risk factor for a negative prognosis, our findings suggest that the initially documented disease severity according only to imaging parameters is not highly important for the final patient outcome.

Objective: To correlate cross-sectional imaging findings with histological results in patients with histopathologically proven lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LSP) after surgery., Methods: Four cases of resectable pancreatic lesions that were proven to represent LSP are presented in our study. All patients were thought to harbor malignancy. A detailed research in patients' records was retrospectively done concerning clinical presentation and imaging studies., Results: Characteristic imaging findings consistent with fibrotic changes were evident in only one case on magnetic resonance imaging. A discrete mass was evident on imaging in 2 patients that correlated well with pathology results. In the other patients, the extent of inflammatory changes on microscopic examination correlated well with the degree of pancreatic head enlargement on imaging studies., Conclusions: Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis is a particular form of benign inflammatory pancreatic disease that is extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Familiarization with the variable imaging findings is essential and may result in the reduction of the number of patients with LSP who undergo surgical resection.