Mesenteric panniculitis: an update

Abstract

In 1924, mesenteric panniculitis was first described in the medical literature by Jura et al. as 'retractile mesenteritis.' It represents a spectrum of disease processes characterized by degeneration, inflammation and scarring of the adipose tissue of the mesentery. The clinical presentations vary according to the stage of the disease and they include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Computed tomography findings are usually diagnostic. The gross findings include thickening of the mesentery, mass lesions and adhesion to the surrounding organs. Histologically, there is a chronic inflammatory process involving the adipose tissue with fat necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Herein, the authors address the clinicopathological features, course, treatment and pathogenetic mechanisms of mesenteric panniculitis.

Mesenteric Panniculitis in Sjögren’s Syndrome: A New Systemic Manifestation to Consider?

“…Many conditions are linked to mesenteric panniculitis including autoimmune diseases [1] . However, SS is rarely associated with this condition, with less than 10 reported cases in the literature [3][4][5][6].…”

“…The majority of reported patients with mesenteric panniculitis needed treatment (corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants, or even surgery) as they were symptomatic. Clinical presentation ranges from general symptoms to gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting or abdominal mass [1] . However, the discovery of MP in our patient was accidental, as he had no symptoms related to this condition, and so it was decided not to initiate immunosuppression.…”

“…Its aetiology is unknown but can be related to surgery or trauma, autoimmune diseases, neoplasms, infection or ischaemic injury. This condition can present as abdominal pain, obstruction, weight loss or, in most cases, may be asymptomatic [1] . Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease mainly known for lymphocytic infiltration of the secretory glands (xerostomia and xerophthalmia, also called DEMS (dry eyes and mouth syndrome), is the common presentation), but it can occur with systemic manifestations like interstitial lung disease, Raynaud's phenomenon and arthritis [2] or, in rare cases, mesenteric panniculitis [3][4][5][6] .…”

Diagnostic Findings of Sclerosing Mesenteritis and the Disease Correlations with Caecal Adenocarcinoma

“…[1][2][3][4] The etiology remains unknown and hypothesized to be associated with previous abdominal surgery, abdominal trauma, autoimmune disease, drugs, cancer, ischemia, and infection. [5][6][7] The prevalence is 0.16-7.8%.…”

The chance case history of an unusual disease: mesenteric panniculitis

“…This disease is also known as mesenteric lipogranulomatosis, retroperitoneal xanthogranulomatosis, mesenteric lipodystrophia and mesenteric panniculitis [2][3][4]. Acute, sub-acute or recurrent abdominal pain occurs in occlusive or subocclusive cases; fever, weight loss and chronic anaemia may be described by patients.…”