What are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for Sclerosing Mesenteritis?

What is meant by Sclerosing Mesenteritis?

Sclerosing Mesenteritis, also known as mesenteric panniculitis, occurs when mesentery (the tissue) that holds small intestines in place becomes inflamed and forms a scar tissue. Sclerosing Mesenteritis is a rare condition, and it’s not clear what causes it.

Sclerosing Mesenteritis is an uncommon disorder that occurs most often in men between their fifth and sixth decades of life and is managed with surgery or medications.

What Causes Sclerosing Mesenteritis?

Although the actual cause of Sclerosing mesenteritis remains unclear, several factors and conditions are believed to be associated with Sclerosing Mesenteritis. Some of the possible factors that increase the risk of developing Sclerosing Mesenteritis includes: 

• Abdominal trauma
• Gastrointestinal surgery
• Autoimmune disorders
• Paraneoplastic syndrome- abnormal immune response to cancer cells in the body
• Ischemia or reduced blood supply to organs
• Infections such as typhoid fever, malaria
• Neoplastic disease (tumor)

What Are the Symptoms of Sclerosing Mesenteritis?

The symptoms of Sclerosing Mesenteritis vary from person to person. Some of the most prominent symptoms of Sclerosing Mesenteritis include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Gastric discomfort
• Bloating of the stomach
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Irregular bowel movement
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Loss of appetite 

When to Consult a Doctor for Sclerosing Mesenteritis?

If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, it is always better to seek medical attention.

• Severe abdominal pain 
• Bloating of the stomach that lasts for more than two days
• Bloody stools
• Tenderness in stomach 
• Painful sensation or difficulty in urinating
• Persistent nausea or vomiting

At Apollo Hospital, our expert team of gastroenterologists, radiologists, surgeons, and pathologists work as a multidisciplinary team to offer holistic care for your sclerosing mesenteritis.

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What Are the Treatment Options for Sclerosing Mesenteritis?

The treatment type usually is decided based on the clinical condition of the patient, severity of the symptoms, age, and complexity of surgical procedures. Some of the treatment methods that your doctor may recommend includes,

Medications: 

Medicines for sclerosing mesenteritis, intended to control inflammation, may include:

• Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids such as prednisone control inflammation. Corticosteroids are usually combined with other medications. 
• Hormone therapy. Hormone treatments like tamoxifen may slow the progressive growth of scar tissue. Typically combined with corticosteroids or other medications, Tamoxifen may be used for long term. Progesterone may be used as an alternative to tamoxifen.
• Other medications. Several other medicines have been used to treat sclerosing mesenteritis, such as azathioprine, colchicine, cyclophosphamide and thalidomide

Surgery Excision for Sclerosing mesenteritis:

1. In general, surgery for Sclerosing mesenteritis is the last resort to treat severe cases of 
2. Minimally invasive surgical procedures are highly effective in treating rapidly progressive Sclerosing mesenteritis.

Conclusion:

Sclerosing Mesenteritis is a rare, idiopathic disorder that affects the mesentery in the abdomen. The available treatment options are effective in relieving the symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) 

What Are the Three Stages of Sclerosing Mesenteritis?

Based on their pathological changes Sclerosing Mesenteritis is classified into three types, namely:

1. Mesenteric lipodystrophy
2. Mesenteric panniculitis
3. Retractile mesenteritis

What Are the Risks of Sclerosing Mesenteritis surgery?

Factors that may augment the risk of Sclerosing Mesenteritis surgery include:

1. Blockage in the small intestine- narrowing of blood vessels
2. Internal bleeding or haemorrhage
3. Surgical infection
4. Injury to blood vessels around mesentery
5. Risk of general anaesthesia
6. Delay in recovery due to other underlying health disorders 

How is Sclerosing Mesenteritis Diagnosed?

As Sclerosing Mesenteritis shares symptoms with many other gastrointestinal disorders, it often gets misdiagnosed. Test and procedures used to confirm Sclerosing Mesenteritis include,

1. Physical examination by a doctor: Your doctor may feel your abdomen for mass or any signs of tenderness 
2. Imaging tests: Radio imaging tests such as Ultrasonography, Computed tomography (CT) help the doctors to determine your diagnosis.
3. Tissue Biopsy: The doctor may also recommend a tissue biopsy test. In the biopsy procedure, the tissue sample from mesentery is collected using a probe (endoscope) and sent for pathological test. This is done to rule out other possible causes and to make a definite diagnosis.