Anaplastic lymphoma masquerading as sclerosing mesenteritis: a case report.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare fibroinflammatory disease of unknown pathogenesis and etiology. Although more commonly benign in its clinical course, sclerosing mesenteritis can mimic certain malignant disorders, such as lymphoma.

CASE REPORT:

This report describes the case of a previously healthy young woman who develops an acute illness thought to be related to sclerosing mesenteritis following an extensive diagnostic work-up including biopsy sampling, which was negative for malignancy. However, despite aggressive medical care, the patient passed away. Autopsy revealed extensive inflammation secondary to anaplastic lymphoma.

CONCLUSION:

The case very graphically highlights an important clinical observation that lymphoma can masquerade as sclerosing mesenteritis.

• Authors: Jay Luther, Alexander J Faje, Mahmoud Al-Hawary, John Y Kao
• Journal: Journal of gastrointestinal cancer (J Gastrointest Cancer) Vol. 43 Issue 2 Pg. 364-6 (Jun 2012) ISSN: 1941-6636 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21360272 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Fatal Outcome
• Female
• Humans
• Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic (pathology)
• Mesentery (pathology)
• Panniculitis, Peritoneal (pathology)