Overview
Mesentery
Mesentery
The mesentery is a fold of membrane that attaches the intestine to the abdominal wall and holds it in place.
Sclerosing mesenteritis, also called mesenteric panniculitis, occurs when the tissue (mesentery) that holds the small intestines in place becomes inflamed and forms scar tissue. Sclerosing mesenteritis is rare, and it's not clear what causes it.
Sclerosing mesenteritis can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea and fever. But some people experience no signs and symptoms and may never need treatment.
In rare cases, scar tissue formed by sclerosing mesenteritis can block food from moving through your digestive tract. In this case, you may need surgery.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sclerosing mesenteritis include pain in your belly, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea and fever. Sometimes people don't have any symptoms.
Causes
The cause of sclerosing mesenteritis is not known.
Sclerosing mesenteritis care at Mayo Clinic
Nov. 07, 2019
- Green MS, et al. Sclerosing mesenteritis: A comprehensive clinical review. Annals of Translational Medicine. 2018; doi:10.21037/atm.2018.07.01. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019.
- Danford CJ, et al. Sclerosing mesenteritis. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2019; doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000167. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019.
- Friedman LS. Sclerosing mesenteritis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019.
- Brown AY. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 22, 2019.