Presentation
Work up for abdominal pain.
Patient Data
Age: 60 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Mesenteric panniculitis
{"current_user":null,"step_through_annotations":true,"access":{"can_edit":false,"can_download":true,"can_toggle_annotations":true,"can_feature":false,"can_examine_pipeline_reports":false,"can_pin":false},"extraPropsURL":"/studies/125491/annotated_viewer_json?iframe=true\u0026lang=us"}
There is smudging of the fat planes surrounding the superior mesenteric vessels and their branches within the root of the small bowel mesentery, accompanied by several enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, most compatible with mesenteric panniculitis.
A 15 mm calcified focus is present in the uterus.
Case Discussion
Features are most consistent with mesenteric panniculitis, an idiopathic disorder characterized by chronic non-specific inflammation involving the fatty tissue of the bowel mesentery.
In up to 15% of cases, local lymphoma eventually develops 1. Some authors suggest an associated malignancy rate of approximately 56% 2. So, a follow up CT scan in 6 months is advised in such patients.