A case of mesenteric panniculitis requiring an operation

A 78-year-old man presented with progressive abdominal pain, distension and mucous in the stool over the previous month. Abdominal examination revealed hyperactive bowel sounds and left lower quadrant tenderness over a palpable abdominal tumour. Laboratory results revealed elevated serum C reactive protein levels (2.91 mg/mL) and mild liver dysfunction. Enhanced abdominal CT revealed abnormal mucosal thickening and attenuation of the sigmoid colon and rectal mesentery (figure 1) compatible with mesenteric panniculitis (MP). A tumour was not observed in the subsequent colonoscopy; however, intestinal ischaemia was evident (sigmoid …