Carcinoid infiltration and fibroplastic changes of the mesentery as a cause of malabsorption

The presentation of carcinoid involvement of the mesentery is described, with clinical manifestation of severe malabsorption: angiographically it resembled retractile mesenteritis. The special biologic activity of the carcinoid cells inducing fibroblastic activity with secondary alterations of vascular, lymphatic and neural structures of the mesentery is discussed in relation to the altered physiology and morphology of the intestine, causing the clinical picture of sprue.