Background: Sclerosing mesenteric panniculitis (SMP) is an idiopathic chronic fibroinflammatory disorder of the intra-abdominal fat.
Case presentation: Herin, we report a case of SMP, involving the omentum, mesentery and peri-colic fat in a 18 year old male, who presented with significant and recurrent abdominal distension for 4.5 years. Computed tomogram revealed ascites, with nodular and irregular omental thickening and foci of calcification. Non-specific radiological and histological features made an accurate diagnosis extremely difficult. After a thorough work up and exclusion of other differentials, diagnosis of a nodular SMP (Weber Christian disease) was given. After showing resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, slow response was noted with cyclophosphamide, followed by rapid symptomatic improvement with mesenterectomy.
Conclusion: SMP is an uncommon benign mesenteric/ omental inflammation, and is a diagnosis of exclusion. As treatment refractoriness is common, management should be individualized and continued for along period. Surgical omentectomy may be helpful.
© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica.