Another reason for abdominal pain: mesenteric panniculitis.

To cite: Sivrioglu AK, Saglam M, Deveer M, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/ bcr-2013-009305 DESCRIPTION A 50-year-old man was admitted to an emergency department with umbilical abdominal pain. His medical history included nothing of particular note. Physical examination revealed a mild abdominal distention and a palpable mass in the left upper quadrant. Laboratory tests only showed increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (35 mm/h). Abdominal ultrasonography showed multiple mesenteric lymph nodes and increase in the mesenteric echogenicity. On contrast-enhanced abdominal CT imaging, a hyperattenuated fatty mass encasing a misty mesentery (non-specific sign, increased attenuation of the mesentery), multiple mesenteric lymph nodes, preservation of fat around vessels and lymph nodes (fat ring sign), pseudocapsule (peripheral band of soft tissue attenuation) and displaced bowel loops were seen at the mesenteric root in the left upper abdominal quadrant (figures 1–4). These findings were compatible with mesenteric panniculitis. The patient was only treated with drug therapy intended for symptoms. Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare disorder characterised by a chronic non-specific inflammation involving the adipose tissue of the bowel mesentery. The exact aetiology remains unknown. The possible causative factors are autoimmunity, infection, trauma, ischaemia, prior abdominal surgery and neoplasm. Prevalence is 0.6%. Sclerosing mesenteritis is classified into three types based on the predominant tissue type in the mass: mesenteric panniculitis (chronic/acute inflammation and fat necrosis more than fibrosis), mesenteric lipodystrophy (fat necrosis more than inflammation and