A case of idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis with retroperitoneal fibrosis

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare inflammatory disease of the bowel mesentery. It produces tumor-like masses of the mesentery composed of varying degrees of fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and fat necrosis. It has been described variously as fibrosing mesenteritis, retractile mesenteritis, mesenteric Weber Christian disease, and systemic nodular panniculitis. The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease are as yet unknown, but autoimmune disorder, previous abdominal surgery, trauma, and ischemia could play a role. The clinical features include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Occasionally, patients with this condition may present with bowel obstruction. Rarely, It can be associated with other idiopathic inflammatory disorders such as retroperitoneal fibrosis, sclerosing cholangitis, and orbital pseudotumors. We report a case of idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis with retroperitoneal fibrosis in a 58-year-old man.