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The abdominal cocoon. A case report.
D Reynders1, Y Van der Stighelen
1Department of General Surgery, St. Vincentius Hospital Antwerp, Belgium.
Acta Chirurgica Belgica
|February 27, 2010
Summary
Idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, or abdominal cocoon, is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. Early radiological diagnosis in men is possible but often overlooked, potentially avoiding unnecessary surgery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Abdominal Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (abdominal cocoon) is a rare condition causing intestinal obstruction.
- It involves the small intestine being encased in a fibrous membrane, predominantly reported in females.
- Diagnosis is typically made during laparotomy for obstruction.
Observation:
- This report details a case of abdominal cocoon in a male patient.
- Preoperative radiological evaluation for early diagnosis was overlooked in this case.
- The condition was ultimately diagnosed during surgery for intestinal obstruction.
Findings:
- The patient, a male, presented with symptoms of intestinal obstruction.
- Radiological findings suggestive of abdominal cocoon were present but not recognized preoperatively.
- Surgical intervention involved membrane resection and adhesiolysis.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of abdominal cocoon in males can improve early preoperative diagnosis.
- Timely diagnosis via radiological evaluation can prevent delayed treatment and poor outcomes.
- Avoiding unnecessary bowel resections through accurate diagnosis is crucial for patient management.
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