Overview of the Immunoglobulin G4-related Disease Spectrum

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a newly named fibroinflammatory condition characterized by tumefactive lesions that contain dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates rich in IgG4-positive cells. Elevated serum IgG4 concentrations also often accompany IgG4-related disease. Many medical conditions that were long viewed as diseases confined to single organs (e.g., Mikulicz disease, type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis, Riedel’s thyroiditis, multifocal fibrosclerosis, inflammatory pseudotumor, mediastinal fibrosis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and etc.) are now designated as part of the spectrum of IgG4-related disease. The preferred nomenclature suggested by a committee of international experts uses the prefix “IgG4-related-” for individual organ involvement, regardless of the organ system affected. One exception is type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (IgG4-related pancreatitis). Comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related disease and organ-specific diagnostic criteria (e.g., IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis, type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis, IgG4-related kidney disease and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis) can aid clinicians in the diagnosis of this erratic condition. Keywords: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease, Autoimmune pancreatitis, Autoimmune diseases Keywords: 면역글로불린 G4 연관질환, 자가면역췌장염, 자가면역질환