[Chronic encapsulating fibrous peritonitis induced by carcinoma of the pancreas]

A 70-year-old man was admitted complaining of dull pain in the epigastrium and umbilical region. ERCP revealed a carcinoma of the pancreas; cytological examination of the pancreatic juice and ascites showed no tumor cells. Diagnostic laparotomy was performed for lasting abdominal pain and fever. Exploration revealed ascites and adhesions. The small and large intestine were covered with a gray-white membranous substance. A large tumor invading the retroperitoneal space was seen in the head of the pancreas. Histological examination of the membranous substance showed hyalinizing fibrinoid tissue; the tumor contained carcinoma cells of the pancreas. We posit that the tumor disturbed the flow of the portal vein and lymphatic vessels, leading to the patient's clinical symptoms.