Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) type 1 and type 2: an international consensus study on histopathologic diagnostic criteria.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate histologic diagnostic criteria for autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and its types.

METHODS: Thirteen pathologists participated in this 2-phase study to develop diagnostic criteria for AIP types 1 and 2 (phase 1) and validate them (phase 2). A virtual library of 40 resected pancreata with AIP and other forms of chronic pancreatitis (CP) was constructed. Readers reviewed the slides online and filled out a questionnaire for histopathologic findings and diagnosis.

RESULTS: Diagnostic criteria for AIP and its types were proposed according to the results from the top 5 reviewers in phase 1. The interobserver agreement was significantly improved in phase 2 by applying the proposed diagnostic criteria. Features distinguishing AIP from alcoholic and obstructive forms of CP were periductal lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, inflamed cellular stroma with storiform fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis, and granulocytic epithelial lesions. Although there was overlap, 2 types of AIP were recognized. Type 1 had dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis, whereas type 2 was distinguished from type 1 by the presence of granulocytic epithelial lesions.

CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune pancreatitis can be distinguished from other forms of CP with substantial interobserver agreement. The 2 types of AIP can be distinguished by the proposed consensus histopathologic diagnostic criteria.