Sclerosing Mesenteritis

Treatment

At Mayo Clinic, treatment of sclerosing mesenteritis follows a stepwise approach, beginning with medical therapies and graduating to surgery only when necessary. Treatment is tailored to the patient's individual symptoms, accompanying conditions and complications. Complications may include: small bowel obstruction, arterial obstruction, venous thrombosis (clotting) and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Medication

Possible treatments include steroids, colchicine, immunosuppressive agents or orally administered progesterone. These medications are only given for a short period since they can cause serious side effects. Mayo Clinic studies suggest that sclerosing mesenteritis patients often benefit from a drug combination of tamoxifen and prednisone. Doctors may prescribe aspirin to take along with tamoxifen, since one of its side effects is blood clotting.

Surgery

In cases of continued bowel or arterial obstruction, and in occasional cases where medication doesn't work, surgery may be required to remove the mesenteric mass. Small bowel resection is sometimes attempted, although surgery in that area of the abdomen has limitations. Mayo gastroenterologic surgeons are internationally recognized as experts in these procedures.

Follow-Up

Doctors sometimes order follow-up CT scans to monitor progress or watch for potential complications.