Introduction
Radiologists are finding it difficult and challenging to detect the
pancreatic pathologies as the diverse range of diseases impersonates
pancreatic neoplasm [1–3]. Such maladies are mostly signified as
pancreatic pseudo-tumors. Multiple illnesses fall under the umbrella of
the pancreatic pseudo-tumors including autoimmune pancreatitis,
intra-pancreatic accessory spleen, abrupt pancreatic hemorrhage, chronic
pancreatitis, groove pancreatitis and fatty replacement of the pancreas
[4–6]. Non-cancerous lesions, often indicated as pseudo-tumors are
revealed in around 5-10% patients undergoing pancreatectomies on
account of a conjecture diagnosis of malignancy entrenched via radiology
[7,8].
The usual pathogenesis of this disease is secondary to chronic
inflammatory conditions. It may result due to a genetic or developmental
defect, several infections, physical injuries and lympho-proliferative
disorders [8, 9]. The degree to which pseudo-tumors imitate life
taking diseases can lead to interventions that can jeopardize the
patient’s health, thereby increasing the mortality rates. Moreover, the
wide range of differentials further complicates the process of reaching
to a definitive diagnosis [10]. Hence, it is essential to initiate a
prompt medical assessment in order to extract the final diagnosis
followed by a rapid treatment for each patient diagnosed with a
pancreatic mass [10].
Herein, we present a set of patients presenting with a pancreatic mass
on abdominal CT scan indicative of a pancreatic pseudo tumor. The
purpose is to highlight the imaging features and biochemical markers of
autoimmune pancreatitis/IgG4 related pancreatic disease that helps to
differentiate this entity from a true pancreatic tumor.