Mikulicz's Disease with hypophysitis - a new IgG4-mediated disorder.

INTRODUCTION: We present a case of Mikulicz's Disease with hypophysitis. This is a rare clinical association as part of the group of IgG4- related diseases, a group of disorders which can have multiorgan involvement. METHODS: A 55-year-old male patient was diagnosed with Mikulicz's disease. He was treated with oral steroids for six months with complete resolution. After two years the patient presented with fatigue, generalised weakness, and weight loss of 11 kg over six months. On evaluation he was found to have panhypopituitarism. MRI pituitary revealed homogeneously enlarged, well enhancing pituitary with thickening of the stalk. Serum IgG4 levels were significantly elevated. The patient was treated with methyl prednisolone pulse therapy followed by oral steroids for three months. He developed diabetes insipidus after starting steroid therapy. There was a significant resolution in the enlargement of the pituitary and stalk thickening at three months. RESULTS: The clinical, biochemical, and radiological findings of hypophysitis associated with Mikulicz's disease are presented with a brief review of literature. CONCLUSIONS: IgG4-related diseases are rare and have recently been recognised as a cause of hypophysitis. They can have multiorgan involvement. A high index of suspicion is required for clinching this rare diagnosis, which can be confirmed by measurement of serum levels of IgG4. Steroid therapy can reverse the inflammatory changes in IgG4 hypophysitis. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (6): 622-626).

Concomitant occurrence of Mikulicz's disease and immunoglobulin G4-related chronic rhinosinusitis: a clinicopathological study of 12 cases.

AIMS: Concomitant occurrence of Mikulicz's disease (MD) and immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related chronic rhinosinusitis (IgG4-related CRS) is extremely rare. We evaluated the clinicopathological features of MD patients with concomitant IgG4-related CRS (CRS-MD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve CRS-MD patients were evaluated clinically and biopsy samples were taken from the lacrimal/salivary glands (n = 12) and nasal mucosa (n = 7) for assessment of IgG4-positive cells, using immunohistochemical techniques. Similarly, nine MD patients and 10 patients with common CRS were evaluated as controls. CRS-MD patients had higher serum IgG and IgG4 concentrations than MD patients (P < 0.05 for both). Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, lymphoid follicle formation and sclerosis was prominent in the lacrimal/salivary glands in both groups; however, the magnitude of IgG4-positive plasma cells infiltration in the CRS-MD group was significantly higher compared to the MD group (P = 0.004). Similarly, evaluation of nasal mucosa revealed greater lymphocyte, plasma cell and eosinophil infiltration and lymphoid follicle formation, together with significantly higher IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration in the CRS-MD group compared to the common CRS group (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant MD and IgG4-related CRS were characterized by a combination of IgG4-positive plasma cells infiltration in the lacrimal/salivary glands and the nasal mucosa and increased serum IgG4.

Possible involvement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in fibrosis associated with IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related Mikulicz's disease (MD) is a fibrosis-associated inflammatory disease, often accompanied by lacrimal gland swelling. Although much attention has been paid to the inflammatory aspects of this disease, the mechanisms of the fibrotic processes are still unclear. We focused on the fibrotic changes occurring in the lacrimal glands of IgG4-related MD patients, by examining molecules involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). METHODS: Lacrimal gland tissue specimens were obtained from 3 IgG4-related MD patients and 3 control patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The glands were examined by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Storiform fibrosis, a characteristic of IgG4-related MD, was observed in the lacrimal glands of IgG4-related MD, but rarely in those of SS. Reduced E-cadherin expression, increased phalloidin-stained filamentous actin, and increased α-smooth muscle actin, snail, and heat-shock protein 47 levels were observed in the lacrimal glands of IgG4-related MD compared with those of SS. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an abnormal periodicity of collagen bundles, and basal membrane thickening in the IgG4-related MD compared with that in the SS tissues. CONCLUSION: EMT-like changes were frequently observed in the lacrimal gland epithelia from patients with IgG4-related MD. Thus, EMT may be involved in the pathology of IgG4-related MD fibrosis.

Clinical features of a new disease concept, IgG4-related thyroiditis.

OBJECTIVES: Immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease is a recently proposed systemic disorder that includes autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), Mikulicz's disease, and various other organ lesions. In the present retrospective study, we examined whether thyroid lesions should also be included in IgG4-related disease (Ig4-RD) under the new term IgG4-related thyroiditis. METHOD: We enrolled 114 patients with Ig4-RD, including 92 patients with AIP, 15 patients with Mikulicz's disease, and seven patients with IgG4-related cholangitis, and analysed clinical findings, function, serum values of activity markers, computed tomography (CT) images, and histology of the thyroid gland. RESULTS: Among the 22 patients (19%) in our cohort who were found to have hypothyroidism [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) > 4 mIU/L], 11 patients had clinical hypothyroidism [free thyroxine (FT4) < 1 ng/dL] and 11 patients had subclinical hypothyroidism (FT4 ≥ 1 ng/dL). Serum concentrations of IgG, IgG4, circulating immune complex (CIC), and ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG) were significantly higher in the hypothyroidism group compared with the remaining 92 euthyroid patients, and serum C3 concentration was significantly lower. After prednisolone treatment, TSH values had decreased significantly (p = 0.005) in this group and FT4 values had increased significantly (p = 0.047). CT images showed that the thyroid glands of patients with clinical hypothyroidism had a significantly greater volume than those of the euthyroid and other groups. Pathological analysis of one resected thyroid gland disclosed a focused lesion with infiltration of lymphocytes and IgG4-bearing plasma cells and loss of thyroid follicles. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid lesions associated with hypothyroidism can be considered as a new disease termed IgG4-related thyroiditis. Awareness of this condition should lead to appropriate corticosteroid treatment that may prevent progression to a fibrous state.

IgG4-related systemic disease: an uncommon presentation for an uncommon disease.

IgG4-related systemic disease is an emerging disease process that manifests with a constellation of features, most commonly but not exclusive to swelling and tuberous growth in the lacrimal and salivary glands, potentially involving many other organ systems. This condition often prompts investigations into malignancy or needless radical surgical procedures. A 58-year-old male was presented to a rheumatologist after several biopsies were done that were suspicious for neoplasia, involving the lacrimal gland and lung. The diagnosis was confirmed when tissue from the lacrimal gland biopsy was reviewed with special stains for IgG4, performed at the Mayo Clinic. This patient is interesting because his disease included bilateral lacrimal glands--at different intervals, the submandibular glands, the lung, and the thyroid gland. His disease responded to immunosuppression. Literature has shown resolution of the tumors upon starting glucocorticoids or rituximab. Our patient was given a course of prednisone and methotrexate with normal follow-up CT chest and physical exam.

IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis overlapping with Mikulicz's disease and lymphadenitis: a case report.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a form of chronic pancreatitis that is categorized as type 1 or type 2 according to the clinical profile. Type 1 AIP, which predominantly presents in a few Asian countries, is a hyper-IgG4-related disease. We report a case of IgG4-related AIP overlapping with Mikulicz's disease and lymphadenitis, which is rare and seldom reported in literature. A 63-year male from Northeast China was admitted for abdominal distension lasting for one year. He presented symmetric swelling of the parotid and submandibular glands with slight dysfunction of salivary secretion for 6 mo. He had a 2-year history of bilateral submandibular lymphadenopathy without pain. He underwent surgical excision of the right submandibular lymph node one year prior to admission. He denied any history of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drug use. Serological examination revealed high fasting blood sugar level (8.8 mmol/L) and high level of IgG4 (15.2 g/L). Anti-SSA or anti-SSB were negative. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a diffusely enlarged pancreas with loss of lobulation. Immunohistochemical stain for IgG4 demonstrated diffuse infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in labial salivary gland and lymph node biopsy specimens. The patient received a dose of 30 mg/d of prednisone for three weeks. At this three-week follow-up, the patient reported no discomfort and his swollen salivary glands, neck lymph node and pancreas had returned to normal size. The patient received a maintenance dose of 10 mg/d of prednisone for 6 mo, after which his illness had not recurred.

High risk of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in autoimmune disease patients showing no immediate increase in hepatic enzyme under steroid therapy.

Aim of the study is to determine the relationship between liver function and the incidence of ONF after steroid therapy in AID patients. The present study investigated 58 AID patients who had received high-dose systemic steroid therapy to determine whether a correlation exists between parameters of hepatic function and steroid-induced ONF at the precise time-point when steroid-induced ONF develops. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of MRI findings: ONF (n = 31) and non-ONF (n = 27). The ONF group showed no increase in AST, ALT, or LDH within 4 weeks after the commencement of steroid therapy. By contrast, the non-ONF group showed an immediate and significant increase in all of these parameters. In the ONF group, hepatic steatosis and elevated triglyceride levels were also observed. Following 4 weeks of steroid therapy, there were no significant differences in biochemical data between two groups. Patients showing no immediate increase in ALT and AST in response to steroid therapy were at high risk of ONF. These findings provide important insights into the pathogenesis of steroid-induced ONF and may facilitate the development of prevention strategies in patients with AID.

"Quasi-symmetric" FDG avidity of bilateral salivary glands in Mikulicz disease yielding false-positive staging in lung cancer.

A 77-year-old man with lung cancer underwent fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Cervical FDG uptake of variable intensity was detected corresponding to enlarged masses in the bilateral parotid and left submandibular regions. We suspected metastases from primary lung cancer or coexisting salivary gland neoplasms. Histopathological examination of the FDG-avid parotid mass revealed Mikulicz disease, an uncommon autoimmune disease involving the salivary glands. We present this case of Mikulicz disease with "quasi-symmetric" FDG avidity in the major salivary glands. We believe that salivary FDG uptake can lead to erroneous interpretation of tumor staging using PET.

A case of Mikulicz's disease complicated by malignant lymphoma: a postmortem histopathological finding.

A 66-year-old Japanese man with an 11-year history of Mikulicz's disease (MD) received continuous corticosteroid administration. At age 58, a left renal pelvic mass was identified and diagnosed as an IgG4-related inflammatory pseudotumor. The patient underwent an operation to remove the tumor. Subsequently, he contracted repeated pulmonary infections and eventually died of severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Autopsy revealed systemic lymph node swelling and infiltration in some organs, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was diagnosed. These findings suggest that an IgG4-related disease can be causally related to the development of malignant lymphoma through the occurrence of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Respiratory involvement in IgG4-related Mikulicz's disease.

'Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease' is a new clinical concept of multi-organ diseases, with Mikulicz's disease (MD) being a clinical phenotype of IgG4-related disease. To clarify the clinical characteristics of respiratory involvement associated with IgG4-related MD, we retrospectively assessed 25 patients with MD, 11 (44%) of whom had allergic symptoms, and 7 (28%) of whom complained of respiratory problems. Thirteen patients (52%) presented with pulmonary and/or mediastinal lesions (P-MD) on chest computed tomography (CT), and 11 (44%) had lesions limited to the lacrimal and/or salivary glands (L-MD). Mean serum total protein, IgG, and IgG4 concentrations were significantly higher and CH50 was significantly lower in the P-MD than in the L-MD group. Immune complex was present only in the P-MD group. Chest CT images showed bronchial wall thickening, consolidation, nodule(s), interlobular thickening, ground glass opacity, pleural thickening/effusion, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Five of seven patients who underwent histological examination of the lungs had abundant IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltrates (IgG4/IgG-positive plasma cells >40%), but the other two did not. These findings suggest that respiratory lesions are not rare in patients with IgG4-related MD, and that they present with various manifestations. IgG4-related MD should be differentiated from similar diseases, such as sarcoidosis, bronchial asthma, Sjögren's syndrome, and malignant lymphoma.

Lacrimal gland swelling in a young African woman.

We describe an African patient with sarcoidosis involving the lacrimal glands. Gallium scintigraphy showed the so-called "panda sign".

Afección pancreática en el síndrome de sjögren / Sjögren's syndrome and pancreatic affection

El síndrome de Sjögren (SS) es una enfermedad autoinmunitaria que afecta principalmente a las glándulas exocrinas, aunque puede ocasionar también manifestaciones extraglandulares. Dada la similitud anatómica, fisiológica y patológica del páncreas y las glándulas salivales, se ha descrito que el páncreas no está exento del daño producido por el síndrome de Sjögren. Por esta similitud, algunos autores han estudiado la influencia del SS en el páncreas analizando los cambios histopatológicos, evaluando la función pancreática endocrina y exocrina (medición de enzimas pancreáticas séricas, prueba de excreción de ácido N-benzoil-L-tirosil-para-aminobenzoico, medición de elastasa, lipasa o tripsina), por la detección de anticuerpos específicos para páncreas (Ac. anticonductos), o mediante la realización de colangiopancreatografía endoscópica retrógrada o estudios de imagen no invasivos (tomografía computarizada y ultrasonido). En el presente trabajo revisamos la literatura científica en relación con la prevalencia y el grado de afección pancreática en SS y discutimos sobre el diagnóstico diferencial con el síndrome linfoproliferativo multiorgánico(AU)

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting primarily the exocrine glands, leading to keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and xerostomia, but that can also include extraglandular features1. Due the anatomical, physiological and pathological similarity between the pancreas and the salivary glands, it has been described that the pancreas it is not exempt from the damage produced by this syndrome. Some authors have assessed pancreatic involvement of SS by analyzing the histopathological changes, evaluating the pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function (serum pancreatic enzymes, elastase, lipase or trypsin determinations, N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-para-aminobenzoic acid excretion test, etc), searching specific pancreatic antibodies (antiductal) or performing endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography or noninvasive imaging studies such as computed tomography or ultrasound. Herein we review the literature regarding the prevalence and type of pancreatic involvement in the SS and we discuss the differential diagnosis with multiorganic Lymphoproliferative Syndrome(AU)

IgG4-related chronic rhinosinusitis: a new clinical entity of nasal disease.

CONCLUSION: IgG4-related disease involves nasal manifestations with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This type of sinusitis is a new clinical entity of nasal disease associated with a high level of serum IgG4 for which steroid therapy is effective. Objectives. To confirm whether IgG4-related disease has distinctive chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODS: We compared serum IgG4 levels as well as nasal computed tomography (CT) and clinicopathological findings before and after glucocorticoid treatment in 31 patients diagnosed as having IgG4-related disease with nasal manifestations. To evaluate immunohistochemical findings of nasal mucosa, we compared them with IgG4-related CRS and common CRS. RESULTS: All patients had levels of high serum IgG4. Ten of the 31 patients had nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, postnasal discharge, hyposmia, and dull headache. They also demonstrated sinus lesions on radiological findings. After glucocorticoid treatment, serum IgG and IgG4 levels were markedly decreased and along with improvement of the symptoms, nasal sinus CT findings also revealed improvement of the sinus opacification. In immunohistochemical examination, the magnitude of IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration in common CRS was almost the same as in the IgG4-related CRS group. Therefore, in nasal mucosa immunocytochemical positive staining for IgG4 is not specific for definition of IgG4-related disease.

[A case of autoimmune pancreatitis accompanied with Mikulicz's disease].

A 73-year-old woman was referred to our hospital complainting of swelling of both eyelids and submandibular glands, nausea, and weight loss. She was given a diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis because of a marked elevation of serum IgG and IgG4 levels and diffuse swelling of the pancreas with stenosis of the main pancreatic duct. Biopsy obtained from the lachrymal gland revealed aggregated IgG4-positive plasma cells, leading to the diagnosis of Mikulicz's disease. PET-CT revealed an accumulation of FDG in the pancreas, lachrymal glands and submandibular glands, and lymph nodes in the mediastinum, hepatic hilium, bile duct and retroperitoneum. Three months after the initiation of steroid therapy, the serum levels of IgG and IgG4 decreased and FDG accumulations of the systemic lesions were no longer visible on PET.

Highly active state of autoimmune pancreatitis with mikulicz disease.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) sometimes present with Mikulicz disease (MD); however, the clinical features regarding these AIP patients with MD have not yet been fully elucidated. Our aim is to study the clinical differences between AIP with and without MD. METHODS: Twenty-eight AIP patients were divided into 2 groups, one with MD and one without it. The following factors having a possible association with the presence or absence of MD were investigated: sex; serum IgG and IgG4 levels; the presence or absence of antinuclear autoantibodies, jaundice, diabetes mellitus, swollen duodenal papilla, diffuse pancreatic swelling, spontaneous remission, and relapse. RESULTS: The MD and non-MD groups consisted of 5 AIP and 23 AIP patients, respectively. The results of univariate analysis revealed that AIP patients presenting with MD were significantly associated with a younger onset, female predominance, high serum IgG4 titer, and diffuse pancreatic swelling (P < 0.05). In 4 of the MD patients, onset preceded pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune pancreatitis patients presenting with MD tended to have different clinical features from the non-MD AIP patients, such as having an earlier onset, female tendency, and diffuse pancreatic swelling with a high titer of serum IgG4. Autoimmune pancreatitis with MD tended to precede gastroenterological events.

Mikulicz's disease with severe thrombocytopenia following autologous stem cell transplantation in a multiple myeloma patient.

We report the first case of Mikulicz's disease (MD) occurring 2 years after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for multiple myeloma (MM). A 70-year-old man developed bilateral enlargement of parotid and submandibular glands. The patient had previously received 2 courses of autologous PBSCT for IgG-kappa type MM, and had been stable for 2 years. This salivary gland enlargement was initially felt to represent a recurrence of MM, since along with gland swelling, IgG was also elevated. However, repeated biopsy of the left submandibular gland revealed chronic sclerosing sialadenitis rather than plasmacytoma. Results of salivary gland scintigraphy, serological testing, and absence of sicca symptoms also supported the diagnosis of MD. Concurrently, the patient developed severe thrombocytopenia (0.8 x 10(4)/microl). Bone marrow biopsy showed abundant megakaryocytes, suggesting enhanced platelet destruction. After high-dose steroid and immunoglobulin therapy, the platelet count gradually returned to normal with complete resolution of the salivary gland enlargement. No apparent signs of MM recurrence were documented during these clinical events.