[A case of Whipple disease with a pseudotumorous presentation: differential diagnosis with mesenteric panniculitis]

A case of Whipple's disease initially presenting as an inflammatory, granulomatous and pseudotumorous infiltration of the mesenterium is discussed. The initial diagnosis of mesenteric panniculitis was invalidated by the typical histological findings of Whipple's disease in a duodenal biopsy performed 18 months later for malabsorption syndrome. This case illustrates the difficulties besetting differential diagnosis of inflammatory and granulomatous lesions of the mesenterium.