[Immunoglobulin G4-associated cholangitis]

Abstract

Autoimmune LgG4- associated cholangitis is a new entity among the liver and biliary tree disorders, classified among the so-called IgG4-related diseases. Even though prognosis of this disease is unclear, this type of sclerosing cholangitis is not being linked to a carcinoma. Clinical and laboratory data differ slightly from the findings associated with the usual primary sclerosing cholangitis and it is mainly the high IgG4 level and hyperbilirubinaemia that supports the diagnosis ofautoimmune disease. Unlike primary sclerosing cholangitis, this disease is not associated with a malignant prognosis and steroids represent an effective treatment. Combination of steroids with azathioprin is a possible alternative in case of a relapse. Patient's response to steroid therapy is a diagnosis-supporting criterion. This disease should always be considered as part of differential diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis, especially when autoimmune aberrations or other autoimmune diseases are present. Long-term evaluations of these patients are so far lacking and thus studies on larger patient samples are required.