Gastroenterology Research and Practice
Volume 2009 (2009), Article ID 176793, 4 pages
doi:10.1155/2009/176793
Case Report

Extensive Sclerosing Mesenteritis of the Rectosigmoid Colon Associated with Erosive Colitis

C. Nobili,1 L. Degrate,1 R. Caprotti,1 C. Franciosi,1 B. E. Leone,2 F. Romano,1 M. Dinelli,3 and Fr. Uggeri1

1Department of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20052 Monza, Milano, Italy
2Department of Clinical Pathology, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20052 Monza, Milano, Italy
3Unit of Endoscopy, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20052 Monza, Milano, Italy

Received 7 September 2008; Revised 15 February 2009; Accepted 20 February 2009

Academic Editor: Paolo Gionchetti

Copyright © 2009 C. Nobili et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare, idiopatic, usually benign, inflammatory process of the mesenteric adipose tissue. The most common site of involvement is the small bowel mesentery. We present a case of sclerosing mesenteritis of the rectosigmoid colon as a cause of severe abdominal pain, abdominal obstruction, and ischemic colic mucosal lesions. Contrast enema, colonoscopy, angiography, and CT were the imaging modalities used. A 20 cm diameter, fibrotic mass causing extensive compression of rectosigmoid colon was found at laparotomy. Histological examination showed extended fibrosis, inflammatory cells infiltration, lipophages, and granulomas within the mesenteric adipose tissue associated with erosive colitis. Clinical presentation and treatment are discussed.