How is autoimmune pancreatitis diagnosed?

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How is autoimmune pancreatitis diagnosed?

It is important to diagnose AIP correctly to rule out cancer and receive the right treatment. A doctor diagnoses AIP with several tests:

  • Blood tests can detect abnormal levels of a substance called serum IgG4, which can be a sign of AIP.
  • Imaging tests include:
    • Ultrasound and computed axial tomography scan (CAT scan), which can produce images of the pancreas so that abnormalities may be seen;
    • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with ultrasound (images of the pancreas are obtained from inside the stomach and intestine using sound waves).
  • In some cases, doctors use a biopsy to rule out pancreatic cancer. In a biopsy, the doctor uses a small needle to remove a small amount of tissue from the pancreas for examination under a microscope.

To help make a definite diagnosis, your doctor may give you a trial dose of corticosteroids (medications that reduce inflammation). If the levels of serum IgG4 return to normal, it usually confirms the condition as AIP.

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