Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging findings of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and to find radiological patterns that could differentiate type 1 and type 2 AIP.
Methods: Eighty-four patients with diagnosis of AIP were enrolled. Image analysis included pancreatic signal intensity abnormalities, enhancement pattern, extrapancreatic involvement, and main pancreatic duct alterations.
Results: Pancreatic parenchyma resulted in hypointensity on T1-weighted images in 65 (98.5%) of 66 cases in type 1 and in 17 (94.5%) of 18 in type 2 (P > 0.05) and in hyperintensity on T2-weighted images in 41 (62%) of 66 and in 15 (83.4%) of 18, respectively (P > 0.05). Lesions were hypovascular in 64 (97%) of 66 cases in type 1 and in 16 (88.9%) of 18 in type 2 with delayed contrast retention in 56 (84.8%) of 66 and in 17 (94.5%) of 18, respectively (P > 0.05). Autoimmune cholangitis was found in 29 (43.9%) of 66 patients with type 1 and in 3 (16.7%) of 18 with type 2 (P = 0.02); renal involvement was observed in 20 (30.3%) of 66 and 1 (5.5%) of 18, respectively (P = 0.02). Both subtypes presented with multiple stenoses (P > 0.05). Dilation of upstream duct was more frequent in type 1 (P = 0.02).
Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging is useful in detecting extrapancreatic involvement, typically seen in type 1. Dilation of the upstream duct suggests type 1 AIP.