Abstract

In a case of autoimmune chronic pancreatitis that relapsed despite maintenance therapy with low-dose steroid, high- dose steroid can induce remission of the disease, and maintenance therapy of steroid is usually recommended in that case. A 57-year-old man developed epigastric pain and jaundice. The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune chronic pancreatitis. The abnormalities in the clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings improved after oral steroid therapy. After two relapsed episodes, maintenance therapy of steroid with 5 mg prednisolone/day was administrated. In the studies for follow up, the level of serum IgG was increased and abdominal computed tomography showed calcification and pseudocyst in the pancreatic tail. To our knowledge, this is a rare case of autoimmune chronic pancreatitis aggravated rapidly despite oral steroid maintenance therapy. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2008;37:65-70)

• Keywords: Autoimmune pancreatitis, Steroid