22 June 2017 : Case report
Sclerosing Mesenteritis Causing Chylous Ascites and Small Bowel Perforation
Challenging differential diagnosis, Rare disease, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)
Huei-Wen Lim1DEF*, Keith S. Sultan2EDOI: 10.12659/AJCR.904382
Am J Case Rep 2017; 18:696-699
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sclerosing mesenteritis (SM) is a rare idiopathic inflammation and fibrosis of the mesentery. Its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. It has been linked to abdominal trauma related to peritoneal dialysis, recent abdominal surgery, idiopathic inflammatory disorder, paraneoplastic syndrome, ischemia/infection, and autoimmunity. Abdominal CT is the most sensitive imaging modality, and diagnosis is usually confirmed by surgical biopsy. Patients most often present with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss, and less commonly with chylous ascites and small bowel obstruction. Treatment is usually supportive; surgical intervention may be attempted for life-threatening complications such as bowel obstruction or perforation.
CASE REPORT: This report describes an 80-year-old man with hypertension and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) presenting with increasing abdominal pain and tenderness over the past 5 months. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a fat-ring sign and peritoneal calcifications along the serosa surface of small bowel consistent with sclerosing mesenteritis. His hospital course was complicated by increasing ascites requiring multiple ultrasound-guided paracentesis, worsening leukocytosis, and persistent hypotension after dialysis, requiring pressor support. Ascitic fluid analysis was consistent with chylous ascites. The patient subsequently developed small bowel obstruction causing focal perforation, leading to the death of our patient. In this report, we review the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, treatment, and outcome in our patient and review the relevant literature.
CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of sclerosing mesenteritis is challenging due to its nonspecific clinical features. Sclerosing mesenteritis is a debilitating albeit self-limiting disorder that can rarely become fulminant, largely due to its complications.
Keywords: Abdominal Pain, Chylous Ascites, Intestinal Obstruction, Intestinal Perforation, Panniculitis, Peritoneal
In Press
18 Mar 2024 : Case report
Perineal Benign Symmetric Lipomatosis in a Female Patient: A Case ReportAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943803
18 Mar 2024 : Case report
Successful Endovascular Microembolization for Post-Traumatic High-Flow Priapism: A Case ReportAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943467
19 Mar 2024 : Case report
Jejunal Diverticulosis Causing Small Intestinal Volvulus and Closed Loop ObstructionAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943376
19 Mar 2024 : Case report
Excimer Laser Therapy for Pigmented Purpuric Dermatosis: A Case StudyAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942853
Most Viewed Current Articles
07 Mar 2024 : Case report
Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United StatesDOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133
10 Jan 2022 : Case report
A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263
19 Jul 2022 : Case report
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128
23 Feb 2022 : Case report
Penile Necrosis Associated with Local Intravenous Injection of CocaineDOI :10.12659/AJCR.935250
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935250