Sclerosing Mesenteritis

Overview

Gastroenterology specialists at Mayo Clinic offer specialized techniques to diagnose and treat sclerosing mesenteritis, a rare disorder that affects digestive tract membranes. If surgery is necessary, Mayo surgeons are experienced in treating the condition.

Diagnosis

People with this condition often complain of abdominal pain, bloating and distention, diarrhea, weight loss and fever. People who have had abdominal surgery are sometimes prone to sclerosing mesenteritis. A CT scan may be helpful. Doctors look for thickened or inflamed tissue, which often appears as a mass or tumor in the mesentery.

Other diseases that affect the digestive tract membranes, such as lymphoma or carcinoid tumors, sometimes produce CT results similar to sclerosing mesenteritis. A biopsy is frequently needed to confirm a diagnosis. A tissue sample can be extracted with a needle or in surgery. Tissue samples are examined for the presence of inflamed or scarred tissue associated with the sclerosing mesenteritis.

Treatment Options

At Mayo Clinic, treatment of sclerosing mesenteritis follows a stepwise approach, beginning with medications and advancing to surgery only when necessary. Treatment is tailored to the patient's symptoms, accompanying conditions and complications. Learn more about sclerosing mesenteritis treatment options.

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About Sclerosing Mesenteritis

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare disorder of unknown origin that involves the inflammation of the small bowel mesentery, the membrane that anchors the small intestine to the back of the abdominal wall. This condition occurs most often in middle-aged or older adults, mostly males. It is associated with previous abdominal surgery and other inflammatory disorders such as orbital pseudotumor, retroperitoneal fibrosis, Riedel's thyroiditis and sclerosing cholangitis. Although sclerosing mesenteritis is usually not serious, it can be debilitating or even cause death.