Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
05:07

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia

Published on: July 21, 2023

[Mesenteric panniculitis: variable presentations]

Debbie G J Robbrecht1, Fazil Alidjan, Bob Eikemans

  • 1Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, Afd. Interne geneeskunde, the Netherlands. debbie_robbrecht@hotmail.com

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|July 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Mesenteric panniculitis, an inflammation of abdominal fat, presents varied clinical courses. This review highlights its diverse associations, including autoimmune conditions and lymphoma, emphasizing diagnostic and treatment challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Mesenteric panniculitis involves inflammation, fibrosis, and fat necrosis of mesenteric adipose tissue.
  • It often presents non-specifically and can be linked to various systemic diseases.
  • Physician familiarity with this condition and its varied presentations is limited.

Observation:

  • Case 1: A 44-year-old woman with episodic abdominal pain had uncomplicated mesenteric panniculitis, managed conservatively with stable disease.
  • Case 2: A 43-year-old woman experienced mesenteric panniculitis complicated by autoimmune hemolytic anemia, resolving with corticosteroid therapy.
  • Case 3: A 73-year-old man presented with mesenteric panniculitis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, both attributed to underlying angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Findings:

  • Mesenteric panniculitis exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and prognoses.
  • The condition can occur independently or be associated with autoimmune disorders and malignancies.
  • Successful management depends on accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness of mesenteric panniculitis and its potential associations is crucial for timely diagnosis.
  • Understanding the diverse clinical pathways can guide appropriate patient management and improve outcomes.
  • Further research into the pathogenesis and treatment of mesenteric panniculitis is warranted.

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:25

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas caused by the early activation of digestive enzymes, leading to the autodigestion of pancreatic tissue. This results in local inflammation and, in severe cases, systemic complications.EtiologyUnderstanding the underlying causes is crucial, as identifying the etiology guides treatment and anticipates complications. Acute pancreatitis can be triggered by various factors, typically grouped into the following clinical categories.Biliary...
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be either acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:30

Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Acute pancreatitis presents a complex medical emergency characterized by rapid onset inflammation of the pancreas, demanding timely diagnosis and management to prevent complications. The condition primarily manifests through severe upper abdominal pain that often radiates to the back. This pain intensifies following the consumption of fatty foods. Accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, fever, dyspnea, cyanosis, and jaundice can vary in intensity but significantly...
Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:23

Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management

The clinical manifestations of gastritis can vary depending on the cause and type of gastritis, but some common symptoms may include the following.
Clinical manifestations of acute gastritis
The patient with acute gastritis may have a rapid onset of symptoms, such as epigastric pain or discomfort, dyspepsia, anorexia, hiccups, or nausea and vomiting, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis may cause bleeding, which may manifest as blood in vomit or as...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...