Retractile mesenteritis presenting with malabsorption syndrome. Successful treatment with oral pentoxifylline.

Abstract

Retractile mesenteritis is a rare benign inflammatory disease of the mesentery. Computed tomographic findings usually suggest the diagnosis, which is confirmed by surgical biopsies. Conservative treatment is empirical, based on corticosteroids, colchicine, immunosuppressive agents and progesterone. Surgical resection is sometimes attempted for definitive therapy, although the surgical approach is often limited. This report describes a 62-year old man with histologically proven retractile mesenteritis presenting with malabsorbtion syndrome, who presented pulmonary tuberculosis after initial therapy with corticosteroids. He was subsequently treated with oral pentoxifylline (800 mg/day), with substantial clinical and radiological improvement.

• Authors: Andreas N Kapsoritakis, Christos D Rizos, Stylianos Delikoukos, Despina Kyriakou, Georgios K Koukoulis, Spyros P Potamianos
• Journal: Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD (J Gastrointestin Liver Dis) Vol. 17 Issue 1 Pg. 91-4 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 1841-8724 [Print] Romania
• PMID: 18392253 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
• Pentoxifylline

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Humans
• Malabsorption Syndromes (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Panniculitis, Peritoneal (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Pentoxifylline (therapeutic use)
• Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors (therapeutic use)