Editorial
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2008; 14(25): 3948-3955
Published online Jul 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.3948
Table 1 Clinicopathological findings of IgG4-related sclerosing disease
Clinicopathological findings
Systemic disease characterized histopathologically by extensive IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration of various organs together with T lymphocytes
Major clinical manifestations are apparent in the organs in which tissues fibrosis with obstructive phlebitis is pathologically induced
PancreasAutoimmune pancreatitis
Bile ductIgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis
GallbladderIgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis
Salivary glandIgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis
RetroperitoneumIgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis
KidneyIgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis
LungIgG4-related interstitial pneumonia
ProstateIgG4-related prostatitis
Some inflammatory pseudotumors (liver, lung and hypophysis) may be involved in this disease
Occasional association with lymphadenopathy
Elderly male preponderance
Frequent elevation of serum IgG4 levels
Favorite response to steroid therapy
Differentiation from malignant tumor is important
Precise pathogenesis and pathophysiology remain unclear