Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Incidental Finding and Management of Mesenteric Fibromatosis
Gregory Nicolas1, Tony Kfoury2, Rasha Shimlati1
1Medical Student, LAUMRCH, Beirut, Lebanon.
Background:
Mesenteric fibromatosis, also known as mesenteric desmoids, is part of the clinical-pathologic spectrum of deep fibromatosis, which encompasses a group of benign fibro-proliferative processes that are locally aggressive and have the capacity to infiltrate or recur without metastasis.
Case Report:
Case of a 45-year-old man, with a history of hypertension and lung fibrosis, presenting for a left abdominal mass, which was found incidentally during his lung fibrosis imaging. He complained of constipation due to pressure upon his bowel leading to difficulty in defecation.
Conclusions:
Although there are many overlapping criteria between gastrointestinal stromal tumors and mesenteric fibromatosis, making it difficult to discriminate between the two, there are differences that are unique to mesenteric fibromatosis that should be noticed during the diagnosis. In this case, mesenteric fibromatosis was unusual as it is not associated with Gardner's syndrome, desmoid tumors, nor familial adenomatous polyposis, but was an incidental finding.
Insights
Mesenteric fibromatosis, a benign tumor, can present as an abdominal mass causing constipation. Differentiating it from gastrointestinal stromal tumors is key for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Mesenteric fibromatosis, a subset of deep fibromatosis, involves benign, locally aggressive fibro-proliferative processes.
- These tumors can infiltrate tissues and recur post-treatment but do not metastasize.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old male with hypertension and lung fibrosis presented with a left abdominal mass.
- The mass was incidentally discovered during imaging for lung fibrosis.
- Symptoms included constipation due to bowel compression.
Findings:
- The case highlights mesenteric fibromatosis as an incidental finding, unassociated with Gardner's syndrome, desmoid tumors, or familial adenomatous polyposis.
- Distinguishing mesenteric fibromatosis from gastrointestinal stromal tumors presents diagnostic challenges due to overlapping criteria.
- Unique diagnostic features of mesenteric fibromatosis are crucial for accurate differentiation.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis of mesenteric fibromatosis is essential for appropriate management and to distinguish it from other abdominal masses.
- Understanding the unique characteristics of mesenteric fibromatosis aids in differential diagnosis, particularly from gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing rare presentations of mesenteric fibromatosis, even when incidental.
