Does IgG4 level evaluation in pancreatic mass play role in avoiding major surgery in uncertain presentation: A case report

Abstract

A 66-year-old male presented with chief complaints of anorexia associated with mild dull, intermittent epigastric pain for 6 months. The patient was a known diabetic on oral hypoglycemic and on routine checkup was found to have deranged liver function profile. On radiology, an ill-defined hypoechoic enhancing lesion involving head, neck, and uncinate process of pancreas was noted. Whipple's pancreaticodudenectomy was done and reported as IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis. Later, IgG (slightly) and IgG4 were found to be markedly raised. We report this case to highlight the importance of IgG4 evaluation prior to major surgery in uncertain pancreatic mass.

Keywords

• autoimmune
• igg4
• pancreatic mass
• pancreatitis