# Mesenteric panniculitis: A case report

## TL;DR

This paper reports a case of mesenteric panniculitis, a rare benign condition involving inflammation of abdominal fat, and highlights its diagnosis and treatment.

## Contribution

The paper contributes a new case report and reinforces the importance of CT imaging and conservative management in mesenteric panniculitis.

## Key findings

- Mesenteric panniculitis was diagnosed in a 49-year-old woman through imaging and biopsy.
- Conservative treatment successfully managed the patient's symptoms.
- CT scans are essential for identifying the condition, often incidentally.

## Abstract

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare, benign condition characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of mesenteric adipose tissue (Hussein and Abdelwahed, 2015; Gögebakan et al., 2018 [1, 2]). While its etiology remains unclear in many cases, it has been associated with various conditions including abdominal surgery, trauma, and inflammatory diseases (Buragina et al., 2019 [3]). Understanding its presentation and management is crucial for proper patient care.

We present a case of mesenteric panniculitis in a 49-year-old woman who presented with significant weight loss. The diagnosis was confirmed through imaging studies and tissue biopsy, with successful symptomatic management through conservative treatment.

The condition typically presents with nonspecific symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss, though it may be discovered incidentally. Diagnosis relies on a combination of imaging findings, particularly the characteristic “misty mesentery” appearance on CT scan, and when indicated, histological confirmation.

Early recognition and appropriate management of mesenteric panniculitis are essential for optimal outcomes. While usually benign, the condition requires thorough evaluation to exclude underlying malignancy and careful monitoring to prevent complications.

•Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare and benign condition characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the mesenteric fat.•The disease progresses through three stages, with the final stage presenting as retractile mesenteritis, potentially causing obstructive symptoms.•CT imaging is crucial for diagnosis, often detecting mesenteric panniculitis incidentally.•Treatment ranges from medical therapy to surgery, with follow-up imaging needed to check for malignancy.

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare and benign condition characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the mesenteric fat.

The disease progresses through three stages, with the final stage presenting as retractile mesenteritis, potentially causing obstructive symptoms.

CT imaging is crucial for diagnosis, often detecting mesenteric panniculitis incidentally.

Treatment ranges from medical therapy to surgery, with follow-up imaging needed to check for malignancy.