1999 Volume 41 Issue 7 Pages 1342-1347
Mesenteric panniculitis is a nonspecific inflammatory disease rarely induced in the mesenterium. A case of mesenteric panniculitis of the rectosigmoid and descending colon seen in a-66-year old man was reported. He complained of lower abdominal pain and diarrhea, and was admitted to our hospital. Physical examination revealed a hard fist-sized mass in his lower abdomen. Barium enema examination demonstrated narrowing of the sigmoid and descending colon and serrated appearance on its mesenteric side. Colonoscopy revealed narrowing and edema without erosions, ulcerations nor masses of the rectosigmoid and descending colon. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed the diffuse thickened mesenteric adipose tissue and walls of the sigmoid and descending colon. These findings made a diagnosis of mesenteric panniculitis of the rectosigmoid and descending colon. After treatment with conservative therapy, the patient had mucous stool about 40 days later. Colonoscopy and Barium enema examination were performed again and showed longitudinal ulcer of the rectosigmoid and descending colon. He was treated with TPN after the examination and the longitudinal ulcer was healed about 80 days later.
