Focal Autoimmune Pancreatitis Mimicking Pancreatic Cancer on FDG PET/CT Imaging

Abstract

Autoimmune pancreatitis generally results in diffuse increased FDG activity throughout the pancreas on PET/CT images. We present a case of focal autoimmune pancreatitis with abnormal FDG activity involving only the pancreatic tail on PET/CT in a 61-year-old man who was provisionally diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer based on the CT findings. The diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis was based on pathological examination and elevated serum immunoglobulin G4 level. Following the steroid therapy, the patient was gradually recovered.