Mesenteric Panniculitis Can Be Diagnosed by Examination and Cured by Comprehensive Therapy

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare, slowly progressive, benign, and chronic fibrous inflammatory disease that affects the adipose tissue of the mesentery. In the present study, we aim to investigate its clinical presentations, computed tomography/sonography scan features, effectiveness of the treatment, and overall prognosis. We investigated various presentations, etiologies, diagnostic approaches, potential treatment modalities, and overall prognosis of mesenteric panniculitis. We present one case of mesenteric panniculitis with abdominal pain, which underwent steroid treatment regimens subsequently and gained weight moderately. An abdomen and pelvis cavity computed tomography scan showed misty mesentery, an ill-defined increase in the density of the peritoneal fat at the base of the mesentery with few small associated lymph nodes. The appearance is that of a panniculitis. His symptoms gradually decreased in intensity and disappeared totally within 1 month after oral prednisone 40 mg per day and moderate gain weight. Computed tomography scan features of the disease have recently been delineated clearly. Standard treatment strategy does not exist, and the current ways mainly consist of immunosuppressor or anti-inflammation agents. Overall prognosis is usually good and recurrence seems to be rare.

Mesenteric panniculitis as a presentation of Whipple's disease: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Whipple's disease is a rare, multi-organ disease caused by Tropheryma Whipplei. A classic presentation is characterized by arthropathy, diarrhea and weight loss but a broad spectrum of manifestations is possible. We present a case of a patient with mesenteric panniculitis as a manifestation of WD. A comprehensive review of the literature is provided.

PATIENT

A 50 year old male presented at the outpatient clinic after an episode of fever and abdominal pain abroad. CT scan showed mesenteric infiltration with associated lymphadenopathies consistent with mesenteric panniculitis. After receiving 6 months of antibiotic therapy abdominal and joint pains improved.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of Whipple's disease. Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare presentation of this possible lethal infection. The golden standard for diagnosing WD is a PAS positive small bowel biopsy. Adequate antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment and usually leads to an amelioration of symptoms.

Increased levels of prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM) in active mesenteric panniculitis patients: A case report

RATIONALE

Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is a rare disease with abdominal and systemic symptoms and is characterized by nonspecific inflammation, fat necrosis, and fibrosis in mesenteric fat. Active inflammatory responses may increase levels of prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM), which was reported to reflect the disease activity of ulcerative colitis and chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia. We recently experienced a case with elevated PGE-MUM at the time of diagnosis of MP and we investigated the potential of PGE-MUM as a biomarker.

PATIENT CONCERN

In this report we described 2 active mesenteric panniculitis patients with high PGE-MUM levels.

DIAGNOSES

Mesenteric panniculitis INTERVENTIONS:: Both MP patients were measured the levels of PGE-MUM.

OUTCOMES

Both MP patients exhibited high levels of PGE-MUM before treatment. In one, the levels were sensitively correlated with clinical symptoms and serological markers on steroids.

LESSONS

The study observations suggest the potential of PGE-MUM to reflect the disease activity of MP. To verify its use, more findings based on clinical studies should be accumulated.

An Overlooked Potentially Treatable Disorder: Idiopathic Mesenteric Panniculitis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of mesenteric panniculitis (MP) and to describe its clinical characteristics, therapy, and outcome.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was carried out among patients with MP based on computed tomography (CT) scans from January 2012 to December 2015. The CT images were reanalyzed by study radiologists to confirm the previous MP diagnosis. Patients were divided into 2 groups, i.e., idiopathic and secondary, based on the presence or absence of associated predisposing factors such as trauma, malignancy, autoimmune disorders, ischemia, or previous abdominal surgery. The clinical characteristics of the 2 groups, as well as treatments, were assessed.

RESULTS

Among the 19,869 CT scans, 36 patients (0.18%) with MP were identified (i.e., 19 [53%] females and 17 [47%] males). The median age was 54 years (range 26 - 76). Twenty-four patients (67%) were categorized into the idiopathic group. Malignancy was the predisposing factor in 8 (22%) of those patients. Furthermore, abdominal pain was the cardinal symptom observed in 22 patients (92%) in the idiopathic group. In the idiopathic group, 15 patients (63%) were treated with antibiotics and 16 (67%) were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). One unresponsive patient was treated with colchicine. Symptomatic relief was achieved in all of the treated patients.

CONCLUSION

In this study, a symptomatic idiopathic subgroup of patients with MP did not have any associated disorder. The response to treatment with antibiotics and NSAID was effective in most of the patients. Based on these findings, anti-inflammatory treatments beyond NSAID and surgery should be reserved for patients who are unresponsive to antibiotics and NSAID.

[A case of sclerosing mesenteritis diagnosed on the basis of biopsy findings obtained during laparotomy and successfully treated with steroids]

A 53-year-old female who complained of constipation and abdominal fullness was referred to our hospital. A tender low abdominal mass was palpable. Imaging (abdominal ultrasonography, CT, and MRI) revealed that the tumor had spread to the mesosigmoid and the superior mesentery. The tumor was very difficult to diagnose on the basis of imaging alone. Therefore, we obtained a biopsy at the time of laparotomy for definitive diagnosis. The biopsy showed extensive fibrosis and lymphocyte, plasma cell, and eosinophil infiltration in the associated adipose tissue. Sclerosing mesenteritis was diagnosed. The patient's symptoms improved immediately after initiating steroid therapy. Pathological examination and empirical steroid therapy are useful for the diagnosis and medical treatment of sclerosing mesenteritis, respectively.

Refractory sclerosing mesenteritis involving the small intestinal mesentery: a case report and literature review

A 28-year-old Japanese man presented with upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a soft tissue mass in the small bowel mesentery. We diagnosed the patient with sclerosing mesenteritis according to the histological findings of small bowel mesentery. Although he was treated with prednisolone, colchicine and azathioprine, neither his symptoms nor CT findings improved. This case is rare in that the disease was refractory. The characteristics of Japanese patients with sclerosing mesenteritis involving small bowel mesentery are not well understood. We herein describe the details of such patients based on a literature review including 32 recently reported Japanese cases.

[Mesenteric panniculitis: variable presentations]

Mesenteric panniculitis is a non-specific inflammation of the mesenteric adipose tissue, with varying degrees of fibrosis and fat necrosis. It can be associated with varying diseases and conditions, such as autoimmune disease and cancer. Many doctors are not familiar with this disease or do not know how to interpret the signs and symptoms. Here, we describe three patients illustrating the variety of clinical course, diagnostics, prognosis and treatment. A 44-year-old woman suffering from episodic abdominal pain was diagnosed with uncomplicated mesenteric panniculitis. The disease was stable while maintaining a conservative approach. In a 43-year-old woman, mesenteric panniculitis was complicated by autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. After treatment with corticosteroids, she made a full recovery from both disorders. Finally, a 73-year-old man was diagnosed with mesenteric panniculitis and auto-immune haemolytic anaemia, which both appeared to be consequences of an angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

[Sclerosing mesenteritis. Presentation of three cases and review of the literature]

Sclerosing mesenteritis or panniculitis is a rare condition characterized by inflammation of the mesentery ranging from an acute to a chronic fibrotic process that can resemble an intestinal malignant neoplasm even though it is benign. Its etiology is unknown, although it is thought to be the result of a nonspecific inflammatory response of the mesentery to an allergic, chemical, thermal, infectious, autoimmune or surgical stimulus. Its natural history is benign and in most cases is self-limited. Surgery is reserved only for those cases where there is intestinal obstruction. We report three cases of sclerosing mesenteritis that occurred after abdominal surgery and we present a review of the literature.

Retractile mesenteritis presenting with malabsorption syndrome. Successful treatment with oral pentoxifylline

Retractile mesenteritis is a rare benign inflammatory disease of the mesentery. Computed tomographic findings usually suggest the diagnosis, which is confirmed by surgical biopsies. Conservative treatment is empirical, based on corticosteroids, colchicine, immunosuppressive agents and progesterone. Surgical resection is sometimes attempted for definitive therapy, although the surgical approach is often limited. This report describes a 62-year old man with histologically proven retractile mesenteritis presenting with malabsorbtion syndrome, who presented pulmonary tuberculosis after initial therapy with corticosteroids. He was subsequently treated with oral pentoxifylline (800 mg/day), with substantial clinical and radiological improvement.

[A case of suspected mesenteric panniculitis with a large amount of chylous ascites]

A 79-year-old man was admitted our hospital because of severe abdominal fullness. An abdominal ultrasonography showed a large amount of ascites, and diagnostic puncture detected chylous ascites. An abdominal computed tomography revealed a large amount of ascites and a multinodular mass with calcification in the mesentery of the small intestine. An infectious disease, such as tuberculosis, or malignant tumor was suspected to be the causative disease, but there was no diagnostic evidence in further examinations. Based on clinical features, imaging data and chylous ascites, we searched for case reports and found two similar cases of mesenteric panniculitis. Mesenteric panniculitis was highly suspected in this case, however, histopathological examination was rejected by patient. Therefore, we treated with steroid therapy, which had been reported as effective therapy, and the ascites decreased without recurrence.

Mesenteric panniculitis. Imaging of a rare cause of chronic abdominal pain

We report a case of mesenteric panniculitis. This rare and poorly-known disease is characterized by a nonspecific inflammatory process involving the adipose tissue of the mesentery. This case illustrates its computerized tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging features and the value of imaging in differentiating it from other mesenteric diseases and thus, avoiding unnecessary surgery.

Idiopathic orbital inflammation with sclerosing mesenteritis: a new association?

A 70-year-old man, who was recently diagnosed with sclerosing mesenteritis following an abdominal biopsy, presented with an acute onset of left upper eyelid swelling, moderate ptosis, mild chemosis and restriction of movements. A computed tomography scan showed an enlarged lateral rectus muscle with surrounding soft tissue changes. A diagnosis of orbital inflammation manifesting as myositis was made and the patient was commenced on high-dose prednisolone, which showed a rapid response. It is believed that this may be a new association similar to that previously reported with retroperitoneal fibrosis and orbital inflammation.

[Minimally invasive technologies in diagnosis and treatment of local purulent complications of destructive pancreatitis]

Sixty patients with local purulent complications of destructive pancreatitis were treated. Interventional procedures under visual control were performed in 38 patients: in 26 (68.4%) -- under control of computed tomography and in 12 (31.6%) -- ultrasound-assisted procedures. Traditional surgeries were performed in 22 patients. Complete recovery was seen in 23 (60,6%) of 38 patients of the first group, all these patients have solitary, one-chamber and non-sequestered purulent cavities which are formed in 82.6% cases due to microfocal pancreonecrosis. Transcutaneous drainage was ineffective in 14 (36.8%) patients that required conversion to laparotomy. It is demonstrated that treatment policy in purulent-necrotic complication of pancreonecrosis must be individual. Adequate method of local treatment must be determined by size and localization of purulent and necrotic lesions, presence of sequesters and septa.

[Mesenteric panniculitis with retroperitoneal involvement resolved after treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses]

Mesenteric panniculitis is an inflammatory process of the adipose tissue of the mesentery. It produces a thickening of the mesentery of the small bowel or colon and can occasionally involve the retroperitoneum. It is characterized by an infiltration of lipid-laden macrophages and associated with variable degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. Several treatments have been used, including colchicine, dapsone, corticosteroids associated or not with immunosuppressants, but there are no prospective controlled studies to define appropriate treatment: moreover, there are cases of regression without specific therapy. We present the case of a patient with mesenteric panniculitis affecting the colon and retroperitoneal space including the right ureter and iliac vein. Immunosuppressive treatment with monthly intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide and oral corticosteroids, resulted in the disappearance of the abdominal mass without relapse during ten months of monitoring.

A pilot study of thalidomide for patients with symptomatic mesenteric panniculitis

BACKGROUND

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare condition with no standard therapy.

AIM

To assess the safety and efficacy of thalidomide for the treatment of patients with symptomatic mesenteric panniculitis using a newly established clinical disease activity index (Mesenteric Panniculitis Subjective Assessment Score).

METHODS

In an open-label pilot study, five patients with symptomatic mesenteric panniculitis received oral thalidomide, 200 mg nightly, for 12 weeks. The primary end-point was a reduction in the Mesenteric Panniculitis Subjective Assessment Score by > or = 20% at 12 weeks or complete remission (absence of symptoms).

RESULTS

Four (80%) of the five patients responded. The median Mesenteric Panniculitis Subjective Assessment Score at baseline was 39 and at week 12 was 25 (average decrease of 44%). One patient achieved complete remission by week 4, which was sustained. At 12 weeks, three (75%) patients experienced a global response, five (100%) patients had a > or = 20% (range, 29-98%) decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and three (75%) patients had a > or = 20% (range, 61-93%) decrease in C-reactive protein. Abdomino-pelvic computed tomography scans were unchanged in all five patients. There were no serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Thalidomide is safe, well tolerated and efficacious in the treatment of some patients with symptomatic mesenteric panniculitis. Further study is indicated.

Retractile mesenteritis presenting as fever of unknown origin and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

Retractile mesenteritis is an extremely rare disease characterised by a non-specific inflammatory and fibrotic process of the mesenteric adipose tissue, which is usually accompanied by pain and a variety of other abdominal symptoms. We describe here the case of a patient with retractile mesenteritis presenting with prolonged high-grade fever and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia without abdominal symptoms. The patient's illness was complicated by chylous ascites. Diagnosis was suspected by computed tomography and confirmed histologically following exploratory laparotomy. The patient was treated with prednisone and azathioprine, and he had a rapid improvement in anaemia and fever relief, but no substantial change in the mesenteric lesions. Our case adds autoimmune haemolytic anaemia to the wide spectrum of manifestations of retractile mesenteritis and implies the possible involvement of immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Successful treatment of retractile mesenteritis with oral progesterone

Retractile mesenteritis is a rare inflammatory mesenteric disorder that involves the intestine secondarily. The natural history of this process is diverse, but most patients require some empiric therapeutic measures. Up to now, pharmacological therapy has included corticosteroids, colchicine, and immunosuppressive drugs. Although these drugs are successful in most patients, some have been refractory to these therapies and, in others, the beneficial effects were counterbalanced by adverse reactions. Many patients require surgery, but most have poor results. This report describes a 42-year-old man with histologically proven retractile mesenteritis refractory to surgical intervention who had a good response to oral progesterone (10 mg/day for 6 months) with complete disappearance of tumor mass and clinical symptoms. No adverse effects were detected. Current knowledge about the mechanism by which progesterone affects fibrogenesis is scanty. It seems likely that progesterone down-regulates proliferation and metabolism of fibroblasts and fibrogenesis.

Sclerosing mesenteritis: an unusual cause of abdominal pain in an HIV-positive patient

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare, idiopathic, and benign mesenteric lesion that is characterized by fat necrosis, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation. We report a case of sclerosing mesenteritis presenting as recurrent abdominal pain in an HIV-positive patient. Because of the wider differential diagnosis in such cases, the patient underwent an extensive workup culminating in a laparoscopy with biopsy. Tamoxifen has been shown to be useful in the treatment of desmoid tumors and idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. We present the first case of sclerosing mesenteritis to respond to tamoxifen therapy. Because this drug is relatively safe and simple to dose, its utility as therapy for patients with this benign but debilitating disease should be considered.

Demonstration of efficacy of combining corticosteroids and colchicine in two patients with idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis

Sclerosing mesenteritis is an uncommon condition of unknown etiology. It is likely to be the fibrous evolution of mesenteric panniculitis. It often has an indolent course but may be complicated by progressive bowel obstruction. The treatment of the symptomatic forms is not well established. The observations of two women (20 and 65 years old) with a relentless downhill course of biopsy-proved sclerosing mesenteritis are described. A treatment regimen with corticosteroid therapy (initially 1 mg/kg/day) and colchicine (1 mg/day) led, in both cases, to a rapid improvement. Abdominal computer tomography showed reduction in the tumor size. The combination of corticosteroids and colchicine is helpful in the management of symptomatic sclerosing mesenteritis. Follow-up with abdominal computed tomography is useful in evaluating the therapeutic impact.

[Severe weight loss at the beginning of mesenteric panniculitis]

We report a case of mesenteric panniculitis that presented with a severe lost of weight. We stress the difficulty that entails the diagnosis of this unusual entity, and also the excellent response to corticoid therapy in our patient. The clinical, pathological and therapeutic features of mesenteric panniculitis are reviewed.

[Retractile mesenteritis]

We report the case of a 76-year-old patient with cachexia, abdominal pain and anemia who was referred for computed tomography to exclude the possibility of a malignoma. We diagnosed retractile mesenteritis, which was verified by laparoscopy with exploratory excision and histological examination. Exploratory laparatomy, recommended even today, could be prevented. In this procedure, extensive parts of the mesenterium and intestine are often resected because of the possibility of a tumor. After therapy with prednisone, there was clinical recovery and the symptoms regressed, as shown by computed tomography.

[Mesenteric panniculitis]

In a 76 year old patient computed tomography of the abdomen and laparoscopic biopsy revealed a mesenteric panniculitis as cause of recurrent fever and shaking chills. The fever resolved under corticosteroid therapy and the patient remains well three month after onset of treatment.

[Retractile mesenteritis. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects]

An 18-year-old boy, who had severe abdominal pain for 18 months associated with marked weight loss, was found to have a stenosed ileal sling on double-contrast radiology of the small intestine. At operation a plate-like tumour was extending from the pancreas to the aortic bifurcation. Histological examination of removed tissue revealed retractile mesenteritis (mesenteric panniculitis; liposclerotic mesenteritis). The symptoms regressed and the patient again gained weight under immunotherapy with 1 mg/kg of prednisone and 2 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide daily. Subsequently, under prednisone alone, there was a recurrence, which responded within five weeks to daily 60 mg prednisone and 125 mg cyclophosphamide. The patient remains symptom-free on 125 mg cyclophosphamide and 10 mg prednisone daily.