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Mesenteric panniculitis

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Intermittent abdominal pain for a number of years.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Male

CT abdomen and pelvis

ct

CT of the abdomen demonstrates the small bowel mesentery to be hazy, with positive mass effect and multiple small soft tissue nodules. The fat surrounding the mesenteric vessels is not stranded. No significant retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement can be seen. Incidental colonic diverticulosis noted

Annotated image

Annotated image

Sparing of the fat surrounding soft tissue nodules (blue arrows) and vessels (red arrows) producing the so-called 'fat halo'. 

Case Discussion

This patient has been followed up for a number of years with no change in either imaging appearance or symptomatology. Features are characteristic of mesenteric panniculitis. 

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