Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAbdominal PainCausesDiagnosisOther Causes of SymptomsTreatment When MildTreatment When Severe
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Abdominal Pain
Causes
Diagnosis
Other Causes of Symptoms
Treatment When Mild
Treatment When Severe
Mesentericpanniculitis—also known assclerosingmesenteritis—is a rare andchronic illness. It causes inflammation and scarring of the fatty tissue of your mesentery. Mesentery is a fold of membranes that anchors your smallintestineto your abdominal wall.
Symptoms may or may not be present with mesenteric panniculitis. When symptoms occur, they can vary from mild to harsh. They often involve nonspecificstomach painthat can also be due to other problems. This can make the illness hard to determine early.
Symptoms can affect your daily life, but treatment may or may not be needed based on the cause of the problem. It can sometimes resolve on its own.
This article describes mesenteric panniculitis symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Describing Abdominal Pain From Mesenteric Panniculitis
Mesenteric panniculitis can occur without symptoms. It is possible to have this condition with few or no noticeable symptoms.
When symptoms occur, they can be chronic (long-lasting) or acute (sudden and short term). Symptoms are not specific to this disease and can vary based on the size and location of scarring or a mass.
The most common symptom involves chronic or intermittentabdominal pain. Research indicates this symptom occurs in about 72% of people with mesenteric panniculitis. Other symptoms common with this condition include the following:
Abdominal Pain: What You Should Know
What Causes Inflammation in Mesenteric Panniculitis?
The cause of mesenteric panniculitis is unknown. The inflammation occurs independently of other disorders. However, it is believed to be associated with a wide range of diseases, including the following:
You may have a higher risk of developing mesenteric panniculitis if you have one of the following characteristics:
Mesenteric Panniculitis vs. Mesenteric AdenitisMesenteric panniculitis andmesenteric adenitisare distinct diseases affecting your mesentery organ in the following ways:Mesenteric panniculitiscauses persistent and long-term inflammation of your mesentery. It often affects older adults, especially men.Mesenteric adenitisis a short-lived condition linked to viral gastroenteritis (stomach “flu”) or a respiratory illness. It is most likely to affect children, adolescents, and young adults.
Mesenteric Panniculitis vs. Mesenteric Adenitis
Mesenteric panniculitis andmesenteric adenitisare distinct diseases affecting your mesentery organ in the following ways:Mesenteric panniculitiscauses persistent and long-term inflammation of your mesentery. It often affects older adults, especially men.Mesenteric adenitisis a short-lived condition linked to viral gastroenteritis (stomach “flu”) or a respiratory illness. It is most likely to affect children, adolescents, and young adults.
Mesenteric panniculitis andmesenteric adenitisare distinct diseases affecting your mesentery organ in the following ways:
How Do Providers Diagnose Mesenteric Panniculitis?
Your healthcare provider will use several procedures to diagnose mesenteric panniculitis as the cause of your symptoms. These include the following:
In cases of asymptomatic mesenteric panniculitis, the condition may be diagnosed during a CT scan or MRI of your abdomen for another reason.
Common Tests Used to Diagnose Abdominal Pain
Could Chronic Stomach Pain Be Mesenteric Panniculitis or Something Else?
Chronic stomach pain with mesenteric panniculitis does not define the disease. Many causes of abdominal pain range from harmless to serious conditions. In diagnosing mesenteric panniculitis, your healthcare provider considers your symptoms, the results of medical tests, and additional input about your condition and history to rule out the causes of your illness.
Adifferential diagnosis—the process of differentiating between two or more conditions with similar symptoms—is performed to eliminate certain causes, such as the following:
Treatment for Mild Mesenteric Panniculitis Symptoms
The management and treatment of mesenteric panniculitis symptoms usually involve the services of agastroenterologist, a healthcare provider specializing in diagnosing and treating digestive tract and liver conditions. Radiologists (diagnose and treat conditions using medical imaging), surgeons, and pathologists (examine body tissue and perform lab tests) may also be involved in your treatment.
There is no consensus on the treatment for mesenteric panniculitis. The severity of your symptoms and complications determines options.
Symptoms of mild mesenteric panniculitis symptoms without other causes can often be treated with the following medications:
Treatment for Severe Mesenteric Panniculitis Obstruction
Treatment for severe mesenteric panniculitis obstruction involves a surgical technique calledresection surgery. This involves removing part or all of the intestinal obstruction. It can be done using open surgery or laparoscopic surgery.
However, surgery is generally not advised because the disease is typically self-limiting (resolves on its own). It is avoided whenever possible except for diagnostic sampling or in the presence of life-threatening complications like a bowel obstruction. In most cases, surgery is controversial and is not attempted to cure mesenteric panniculitis.
Recovery/General Outlook for Mesenteric PanniculitisThe outlook for most cases of mesenteric panniculitis is good. The disease commonly stays asymptomatic and remains stable. It may even improve on its own without treatment.Generally, mesenteric panniculitis is not life-threatening and rarely causes complications. In one retrospective study, drug therapy resolved the disease, with no recurrence in up to two years of follow-up.
Recovery/General Outlook for Mesenteric Panniculitis
The outlook for most cases of mesenteric panniculitis is good. The disease commonly stays asymptomatic and remains stable. It may even improve on its own without treatment.Generally, mesenteric panniculitis is not life-threatening and rarely causes complications. In one retrospective study, drug therapy resolved the disease, with no recurrence in up to two years of follow-up.
The outlook for most cases of mesenteric panniculitis is good. The disease commonly stays asymptomatic and remains stable. It may even improve on its own without treatment.
Generally, mesenteric panniculitis is not life-threatening and rarely causes complications. In one retrospective study, drug therapy resolved the disease, with no recurrence in up to two years of follow-up.
Anti-Inflammatory Mesenteric Panniculitis Diet
While there is no specific mesenteric panniculitis diet, following a generalanti-inflammatory dietmay help reduce symptoms related to inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet involves increasing your intake of foods that reduce inflammation, such as the following:
Summary
Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare disease that causes inflammation and scarring of the fatty tissue of your mesentery, the tissue that holds your small intestine to your abdominal wall. While this illness is benign, it is chronic.
Some people have this condition but do not experience symptoms. It is often found during imaging tests for other issues. When it occurs without symptoms, treatment is not needed.
Others have symptoms that involve stomach pain and annoying issues that affect the digestive tract. These problems can vary from mild to harsh. Relief of symptoms is usually achieved with drug therapy.
While the cause of this problem is unknown, it is thought to be linked to many known conditions. Complications are rare. Surgery may be needed when problems like an intestinal blockage occur.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Mesenteric panniculitis.Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019 Dec 23;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Sulbaran M, Chen FK, Hashash JG.A clinical review of mesenteric panniculitis.Gasterology & Hepatology. 2023:19(4):211-218.Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Gunduz Y, Tatli AP, Kara RO.Mesenteric panniculitis: a case report and review of the literature.Maedica (Bucur). 2012 Dec;7(4):344-7.Alsuhaimi MA, Alshowaiey RA, Alsumaihi AS, Aldhafeeri SM.Mesenteric panniculitis various presentations and management: A single institute ten years, experience.Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022;80:104203. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104203UPMC Health Beat.What are the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet?
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Mesenteric panniculitis.Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019 Dec 23;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Sulbaran M, Chen FK, Hashash JG.A clinical review of mesenteric panniculitis.Gasterology & Hepatology. 2023:19(4):211-218.Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Gunduz Y, Tatli AP, Kara RO.Mesenteric panniculitis: a case report and review of the literature.Maedica (Bucur). 2012 Dec;7(4):344-7.Alsuhaimi MA, Alshowaiey RA, Alsumaihi AS, Aldhafeeri SM.Mesenteric panniculitis various presentations and management: A single institute ten years, experience.Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022;80:104203. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104203UPMC Health Beat.What are the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Mesenteric panniculitis.Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019 Dec 23;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Sulbaran M, Chen FK, Hashash JG.A clinical review of mesenteric panniculitis.Gasterology & Hepatology. 2023:19(4):211-218.Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696Gunduz Y, Tatli AP, Kara RO.Mesenteric panniculitis: a case report and review of the literature.Maedica (Bucur). 2012 Dec;7(4):344-7.Alsuhaimi MA, Alshowaiey RA, Alsumaihi AS, Aldhafeeri SM.Mesenteric panniculitis various presentations and management: A single institute ten years, experience.Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022;80:104203. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104203UPMC Health Beat.What are the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet?
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Mesenteric panniculitis.
Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019 Dec 23;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696
Sulbaran M, Chen FK, Hashash JG.A clinical review of mesenteric panniculitis.Gasterology & Hepatology. 2023:19(4):211-218.
Buragina G, Magenta Biasina A, Carrafiello G.Clinical and radiological features of mesenteric panniculitis: a critical overview.Acta Biomed. 2019;90(4):411-422. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i4.7696
Gunduz Y, Tatli AP, Kara RO.Mesenteric panniculitis: a case report and review of the literature.Maedica (Bucur). 2012 Dec;7(4):344-7.
Alsuhaimi MA, Alshowaiey RA, Alsumaihi AS, Aldhafeeri SM.Mesenteric panniculitis various presentations and management: A single institute ten years, experience.Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022;80:104203. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104203
UPMC Health Beat.What are the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet?
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