IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis

Terumi Kamisawa, MD, PhD, AGAF, is a gastroenterologist who specializes in pancreatobiliary disease. He became deputy director of Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital in 2015. Dr. Kamisawa gained a Master's degree and PhD from Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Aomori, Japan, in 1982 and 1995, respectively. He became an executive board member of the Japan Biliary Association in 2011 and of the Japan Pancreas Society in 2012. Since 2007 he has been an associate editor of Pancreas and Journal of the Pancreas. He is an editorial board member of the Journal of Gastroenterology, the Journal of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Sciences, and Gut and Liver.
Myung-Hwan Kim, MD, PhD, is a gastroenterologist with a special interest in pancreatobiliary disease. He is a professor at University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Director of the Pancreatobiliary Center at the Asan Medical Center. He is a former president of the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association and also of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. He is now a Council member of both the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) and the Asian Oceanic Pancreatic Association (AOPA).

This book aims to raise awareness of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis among practicing physicians and to equip readers with a sound understanding of the principles of diagnosis and treatment. Clinical, serological, and histopathological features are clearly described and imaging appearances on all relevant modalities are illustrated, covering the bile duct and other involved organs. Differential diagnosis from other diseases, including primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma, is precisely explained. Information is then presented on all significant current and emerging therapeutic strategies, including steroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and rituximab. Finally, attention is drawn to significant prognostic features. While IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis is now a widely acknowledged condition, most practitioners are still liable to misdiagnose it owing to a lack of familiarity with its presenting features. This book should help to rectify the situation and will be an asset for all who may encounter the disease in clinical practice.

Illustrates imaging features on all relevant modalitiesDescribes differential diagnosis from other diseases Discusses current and emerging therapeutic strategies

O verview including classification of sclerosing cholangitis.- Epidemiology.- Pathophysiology.- Pathology.- Clinical features.- Serology.- Diagnostic criteria.- Imaging.- 1) US and CT.- 2) MRI with MRCP.- 3) ERCP.- 4) EUS and IDUS.- Differential diagnosis from primarysclerosing cholangitis.- Differential diagnosis from cholangiocarcinoma.- Tissue acquisition for histologic diagnosis.- Other organ involvements including autoimmune pancreatitis.- Treatment.- 1) Steroids.- 2) Immunomodulatory drugs.- 3) Rituximab.- Prognosis.- IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis in America.- IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis in Europe.- IgG4-related disease.