Diagnosis of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis

IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis(IgG4-SC)is often associated with autoimmune pancreatitis.However,the diffuse cholangiographic abnormalities observed in IgG4-SC may resemble those observed in primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC),and the presence of segmental stenosis suggests cholangiocarcinoma(CC).IgG4-SC responds well to steroid therapy,whereas PSC is only effectively treated with liver transplantation and CC requires surgical intervention.Since IgG4-SC was first described,it has become a third distinct clinical entity of sclerosing cholangitis.The aim of this review was to introduce the diagnostic methods for IgG4-SC.IgG4-SC should be carefully diagnosed based on a combination of characteristic clinical,serological,morphological,and histopathological features after cholangiographic classification and targeting of a disease for differential diagnosis.When intrapancreatic stenosis is detected,pancreatic cancer or CC should be ruled out.If multiple intrahepatic stenoses are evident,PSC should be distinguished on the basis of cholangiographic findings and liver biopsy with IgG4 immunostaining.Associated inflammatory bowel disease is suggestive of PSC.If stenosis is demonstrated in the hepatic hilar region,CC should be discriminated by ultrasonography,intraductal ultrasonography,bile duct biopsy,and a higher cutoff serum IgG4 level of 182 mg/dL.

Inflammatory bowel disease of primary sclerosing cholangitis:A distinct entity?

This is a review of the characteristic findings of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)and their usefulness in the diagnosis of sclerosing cholangitis.PSC is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by idiopathic fibrous obstruction and is frequently associated with IBD.IBDassociated with PSC(PSC-IBD)shows an increased incidence of pancolitis,mild symptoms,and colorectal malignancy.Although an increased incidence of pancolitis is a characteristic finding,some cases are endoscopically diagnosed as right-sided ulcerative colitis.Pathological studies have revealed that inflammation occurs more frequently in the right colon than the left colon.The frequency of rectal sparing and backwash ileitis should be investigated in a future study based on the same definition.The cholangiographic findings of immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis(IgG4-SC)are similar to those of PSC.The rare association between IBD and IgG4-SC and the unique characteristics of PSC-IBD are useful findings for distinguishing PSC from IgG4-SC.

Isolated intrapancreatic Ig G4-related sclerosing cholangitis

Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis(Ig G4-SC) is frequently associated with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP). Association with AIP can be utilized in the diagnosis of Ig G4-SC. However, some cases of Ig G4-SC are isolated from AIP, which complicates the diagnosis. Most of the reported cases of isolated Ig G4-SC displayed hilar biliary strictures, whereas isolated Ig G4-SC with intrapancreatic biliary stricture is very rare. Recently, we have encountered 5 isolated intrapancreatic Ig G4-SC cases that were not associated with AIP, three of which were pathologically investigated after surgical operation. They all were males with a mean age of 74.2 years. The pancreas was not enlarged in any of these cases. No irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct was found. Bile duct wall thickening in lesions without luminal stenosis was detected by abdominal computed tomography in all five cases, by endoscopic ultrasonography in two out of four cases and by intraductal ultrasonography in all three cases. In three cases, serum Ig G4 levels were within the normal limits. The mean serum Ig G4 level measured before surgery was 202.1 mg/d L(4 cases). Isolated intrapancreatic Ig G4-SC is difficult to diagnose, especially if the Ig G4 level remains normal. Thus, this type of Ig G4-SC should be suspected in addition to cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer if stenosis of intrapancreatic bile duct is present.

Case of arterial hemorrhage after endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation for choledocholithiases using a covered self-expandable metallic stent

A 78-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of choledocholithiasis.ERC demonstrated choledocholithiases with a maximum diameter of 13 mm, and we performed endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation(EPLBD) with a size of 15 mm.Immediately following the balloon deflation, spurting hemorrhage occurred from the orifice of the duodenal papilla.Although we performed endoscopic hemostasis by compressing the bleeding point with the large balloon catheter, we could not achieve hemostasis.Therefore, we placed a 10 mm fully covered selfexpandable metallic stent(SEMS) across the duodenal papilla, and the hemorrhage stopped immediately.After 1 wk of SEMS placement, duodenal endoscopy revealed ulcerative lesions in both the orifice of the duodenal papilla and the lower bile duct.A direct peroral cholangioscopy using an ultra-slim upper endoscope revealed a visible vessel with a longitudinal mucosal tear in the ulceration of the lower bile duct.We believe that the mucosal tear and subsequent ruptured vessel were caused by the EPLBD procedure.