IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis



Fig. 15.1
The cholangiographic classification of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. Stenosis is located only in the lower part of the common bile duct in Type 1; stenosis is diffusely distributed in the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts in Type 2. Type 2 is further subdivided into 2 types. Extended narrowing of the intrahepatic bile ducts with prestenotic dilation is widely distributed in Type 2a. Narrowing of the intrahepatic bile ducts without prestenotic dilation and reduced bile duct branches are widely distributed in Type 2b; stenosis is detected in both the hilar hepatic lesions and the lower part of the common bile ducts in Type 3; strictures of the bile duct are detected only in the hilar hepatic lesions in Type 4





Frequency of Association with AIP and IgG4-SC



The Frequency of Associated IgG4-SC with AIP


IgG4-SC is one of the frequently associated diseases with AIP. In one study, 59 (95 %) of 62 patients with IgG4-SC had associated AIP, with high prevalence [2]. Ghazale et al. [3] reported that an incidence rate of AIP association was 92 % in 53 patients with IgG4-SC, which was a comparatively large sample.

These two series included all types of IgG4-SC [2, 3]. The frequency of occurrence of IgG4-SC depends on the definition of IgG4-SC being considered. Inclusion of type 1 IgG4-SC into the IgG4-SC category has been disputed. Some researchers claim that the stricture of the lower common bile duct, which is observed in type 1 IgG4-SC, is caused by compression due to AIP [4]. This claim is based on the fact that type 1 IgG4-SC was not found in some cases of focal-type AIP with only body and tail involvement. However, we believe that type 1 IgG4-SC should be classified as one of the IgG4-SC types because of the following reasons. First, pathological examination of the bile duct wall obtained from surgically resected samples showed abundant IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration, storiform fibrosis, and obstructive phlebitis, which are characteristics of IgG4-SC-associated inflammation [5]. In addition, some cases showed inflammation of only the bile duct wall and not of the pancreas. Second, the results of an intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) study showed continuous thickening of the bile duct wall from the intrapancreatic to the extrapancreatic bile duct [6]. In fact, it is difficult to identify which is the major factor contributing to the thickening of the bile duct wall—inflammation of the bile duct or compression due to AIP.

Therefore, understanding statistical data is essential for determining the frequency of occurrence of IgG4-SC. The frequency of IgG4-SC occurrence also changes depending on whether type 1 IgG4-SC is included in the IgG4-SC classification.


The Frequency of Associated AIP with IgG4-SC in Japanese Cohort


Recent Japanese multicenter study revealed the frequency of associated AIP with IgG4-SC [7]. A total of 344 IgG4-SC patients were enrolled in this study, and we evaluated according to our cholangiographic classification. Three hundred twenty-nine (95.6 %) out of 344 total IgG4-SC cases were associated with AIP. Two hundred forty-four out of 246 type 1 IgG4-SC cases (99.2 %) were associated with AIP. Fifty-one out of 56 type 2 IgG4-SC cases (91.1 %) were associated with AIP. Thirty-four out of 42 type 3 and 4 IgG4-SC cases (81.0 %) were associated with AIP. Type 3 and 4 IgG4-SC cases showed lower frequency of association with AIP.


Pathological Features


In IgG4-SC, fibroinflammatory involvement is observed mainly in the submucosa of the bile duct wall, whereas the epithelium of the bile duct is intact [5]. PSC should be ruled out if inflammation is observed, particularly in the epithelium of the bile duct wall. The characteristic pathological findings of IgG4-SC were first reported under the name “lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis with cholangitis” [8]. Abraham et al. [9] reported frequent fibroinflammatory involvement of the gallbladder and common bile duct in patients with lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis. Zen et al. [5] revealed that the bile duct wall in IgG4-SC had pathological features similar to those of AIP, displaying dense infiltrations of lymphocytes and IgG4-positive plasma cells, with extensive fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis. They classified IgG4-SC into 6 categories according to the extent of inflammation and association with an inflammatory pseudotumor. IgG4-positive plasma cells are sparse in the affected bile ducts in PSC, and the luminal side of the bile ducts, including the lining biliary epithelial cells, is preferentially affected compared with IgG4-SC. In PSC, the fibrosis is denser and older, whereas in IgG4-SC, the entire bile duct wall and periductal tissue are affected. However, a recent study by Zhang et al. [10] revealed that 23 (23 %) of 98 liver explants with PSC had periductal infiltration with abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells [10/high-power field (HPF)] in the hilar area.


Serum IgG4 Level


Serum IgG4 level has been reported to be a useful marker for discriminating AIP from other pancreatic diseases [11]. A cutoff IgG4 level of 135 mg/dL has been widely used as part of the diagnostic criteria for AIP. However, twice the upper limit of the normal value has also been recommended to discriminate AIP from PCa. In the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for AIP, once or twice the upper limit of the normal value is included in levels 1 and 2 diagnoses, respectively [12].

Only a few reports have been published concerning the cutoff IgG4 level in the diagnosis of IgG4-SC. We published for the first time, the diagnostic criteria for IgG4-SC based on a comparative study [2]. The cutoff IgG4 level of 135 mg/dL is useful in discriminating IgG4-SC from PCa and PSC. However, the level displayed lower specificity in discriminating IgG4-SC from CC. Oseini et al. [13] evaluated the utility of serum IgG4 level in distinguishing IgG4-SC from CC. They reported that among their 126 patients with CC, 17 (13.5 %) had elevated (>140 mg/dL) and 4 (3.2 %) had a >2-fold increase (>280 mg/dL) in serum IgG4 levels. PSC was present in 31/126 CC patients, of whom 7 (22.6 %) had an elevated serum IgG4 level. The authors concluded that some patients with CC, particularly PSC, had elevated serum IgG4 levels and diagnosis using a twofold higher cutoff serum IgG4 level may not reliably distinguish IgG4-SC from CC. However, a cutoff level fourfold higher than the upper limit of the normal value had 100 % specificity for IgG4-SC.

We recently established a cutoff serum IgG4 level to differentiate IgG4-SC from the 3 other diseases (type 1 IgG4-SC vs PCa, type 2 IgG4-SC vs PSC, and type 3 IgG4-SC vs CC) using serum IgG4 levels measured in 9 Japanese high-volume centers [7]. The cutoff obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves displayed similar sensitivity and specificity to those of 135 mg/dL when all the IgG4-SC cases and controls were compared. However, a new cutoff value was established when IgG4-SC subgroups and controls were compared. A cutoff level of 182 mg/dL can increase the specificity to 96.6 % (a 4.7 % increase) for distinguishing types 3 and 4 IgG4-SC from CC. A cutoff level of 207 mg/dL might be useful for completely distinguishing types 3 and 4 IgG4-SC from CC.

Mendes et al. [14] measured the serum IgG4 level in 127 patients with PSC and found that it was elevated in 12 patients (9 %). The patients with elevated IgG4 levels had higher levels of total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, higher PSC Mayo risk scores, and lower incidence of inflammatory bowel disease. It is important to note that the time to liver transplantation was shorter in patients with elevated IgG4 levels (1.7 vs 6.5 years, P = 0.0009). As only one of the patients in their series had an abnormal pancreatogram, the documented cases appeared to conform to the diagnosis of IgG4-SC. Therefore, clinical trials in which patients with PSC are evaluated for IgG4 and patients presenting elevated levels are treated with corticosteroids should be considered.


Diagnostic Criteria


Only 3 sets of diagnostic criteria for IgG4-SC have been proposed [2, 15, 16]. AIP should be clinically discriminated only from PCa. However, IgG4-SC should be discriminated from all of the 3 intractable diseases (PCa, PSC, and CC). Therefore, we should take into account these 3 intractable diseases for differential diagnosis in the diagnostic criteria for IgG4-SC.

We summarize three diagnostic criteria for the abovementioned IgG4-SC. The Research Committee of IgG4-related Diseases and the Research Committee of Intractable Diseases of Liver and Biliary Tract, in association with the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Japan, and the Japan Biliary Association, proposed clinical diagnostic criteria for IgG4-SC in 2012 [15] (Table 15.1). The diagnosis of IgG4-SC is based on the combination of the following 4 criteria: (1) characteristic biliary imaging findings, (2) elevation of serum IgG4 concentrations, (3) the coexistence of IgG4-related diseases except those of the biliary tract, and (4) characteristic histopathological features. Furthermore, the effectiveness of steroid therapy is an optional extra diagnostic criterion to confirm accurate diagnosis of IgG4-SC.


Table 15.1
Clinical diagnostic criteria of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis 2012







































Diagnostic criteria of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis

A. Diagnostic items

1. Biliary tract imaging reveals diffuse or segmental narrowing of the intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile duct associated with the thickening of bile duct wall

2. Hematological examination shows elevated serum IgG4 concentrations (≥135 mg/dl)

3. Coexistence of autoimmune pancreatitis, IgG4-related dacryoadenitis/sialadenitis, or IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis

4. Histopathological examination shows:

 ① Marked lymphocytic and plasmacyte infiltration and fibrosis

 ② Infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells: >10 IgG4-positive plasma cells/HPF

 ③ Storiform fibrosis

 ④ Obliterative phlebitis

Option: Effectiveness of steroid therapy

A specialized facility, in which detailed examinations such as endoscopic biliary biopsy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) can be administrated, may include in its diagnosis the effectiveness of steroid therapy, once pancreatic or biliary cancers have been ruled out

B. Diagnosis

Definite diagnosis: 1 + 3, 1 + 2 + 4①②, 4①②③, 4①②④

Probable diagnosis: 1 + 2 + Option

Possible diagnosis: 1 + 2

It is necessary to exclude PSC, malignant diseases such as pancreatic or biliary cancers, and secondary sclerosing cholangitis caused by the diseases with obvious pathogenesis. If IgG4-SC cannot be clinically ruled out, a patient must not be treated with facile steroid therapy but should be referred to a specialized medical facility


Cited from Ohara et al. [15]

The HISORt criteria for the diagnosis of IgG4-SC [3] are based on the characteristic features of IgG4-SC on histological, imaging, and serological examination; other organ involvement; and response to steroid therapy, which parallel the HISORt criteria established for AIP [16].

Our original diagnostic criteria provide a concrete diagnostic algorithm for IgG4-SC (Fig. 15.2) [2]. Association with AIP and other organ involvements are common useful diagnostic parameters in all three IgG4-SC types. Characteristic cholangiogram, liver biopsy, and exclusion of IBD are useful parameters in type 2 IgG4-SC. IDUS findings, exclusion of malignancy by bile duct biopsy, and a serum IgG4 cutoff level of 207 mg/dL were useful parameters in type 3 and 4 IgG4-SC. Although, generally, diagnosis should be made before starting therapy, a steroid trial is needed in some cases.

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Fig. 15.2
Algorithm for management of IgG4-SC (Cited from Nakazawa et al. [17])


Differential Diagnosis Based on Cholangiographic Classification


IgG4-SC displays various cholangiographic features similar to those of PCa, PSC, and CC. The differential diagnosis based on cholangiographic classification is sufficient in clinical practice because the useful modalities depend on the cholangiographic types (Fig. 15.3) [18].

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Fig. 15.3
The cholangiographic classification and differential diagnosis. IDUS intraductal ultrasonography, EUS-FNA endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration, IBD inflammatory bowel disease

Type 1 IgG4-SC should be differentiated from chronic pancreatitis, PCa, and CC. The modalities useful for differential diagnosis are IDUS [6], endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for the pancreas [19], and cytological examination and/or biopsy of the bile duct [6].

Type 2 IgG4-SC should be differentiated from PSC and secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC). After ruling out SSC, differential diagnosis between Type 2 IgG4-SC and PSC is necessary [20]. The modalities useful for differential diagnosis are cholangiography [17], evaluations for associated IBD [21, 22], and liver biopsy [23, 24]. Our discriminant analysis formula for cholangiographic features, including age, was able to efficiently discriminate type 2 IgG4-SC from PSC [17]. Band-like strictures, a beaded or “pruned tree” appearance, and diverticulum-like outpouching are significantly more frequent in PSC cases. In contrast, segmental strictures, long strictures with prestenotic dilation, and strictures of the lower common bile duct are significantly more common in IgG4-SC. These differences are illustrated in Fig. 15.4. The characteristic cholangiographic features reflect the underlying pathological processes involved in each condition. In PSC, obliterative fibrosis is the main cause of biliary stenosis, creating short strictures. In contrast, in IgG4-SC, severe lymphoplasmacyte infiltration into bile ducts in the long region is the main cause of biliary stenosis, resulting in long strictures.

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Fig. 15.4
Schematic illustration of comparison of cholangiographic (primary sclerosing cholangitis vs IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis) findings [25]. The schematic comparison of cholangiographic findings between IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis displaying segmental and long stricture and stricture of the lower common bile duct, primary sclerosing cholangitis displaying band-like stricture (short stricture 1–2 mm), beaded appearance (short and annular stricture alternating with normal or minimally dilated segments), pruned tree appearance (diminished arbolization of intrahepatic duct and pruning) and diverticulum-like outpouching (outpouchings resembling diverticula, often protruding between adjacent strictures)

Associated ulcerative colitis is suggestive of PSC. IBD is present in only 0–6 % of patients with IgG4-SC [3, 25, 26]. IBD is usually not a feature associated with type 1 AIP, unlike the frequent association of IBD with type 2 AIP [12]. IBD associated with PSC showed characteristic findings different from ordinary IBD [21, 22]. Backwash ileitis, rectal sparing, and low disease activity appear to be features that characterize IBD when it is associated with PSC [21, 22].

The histological features of IgG4-SC on liver biopsy are distinctive and, in conjunction with IgG4 immunohistochemical staining, help distinguish IgG4-SC from PSC [23, 24]. We have already reported that liver needle biopsy is especially useful for distinguishing IgG4-SC from PSC in patients with cholangiographically evident intrahepatic biliary strictures [24]. Four (57 %) of 7 patients with type 2 IgG4-SC presented infiltration ≥10 IgG4 + plasma cells per HPF in liver biopsy samples, whereas none of the PSC patients presented this feature.

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Jun 3, 2017 | Posted by in GENERAL SURGERY | Comments Off on IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis

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