sclerosing mesenteritis

Sclerosing mesenteritis (SM), also known as mesenteric lipodystrophy, rarely involves the parenchyma of the pancreas.

When SM does involve the pancreas, it can mimic pancreatic carcinoma both clinically and radiographically with pain, obstructive jaundice, a mass lesion, and even the appearance of vascular invasion.

Distinguishing SM from pancreatic carcinoma is crucial to appropriate management, as patients with SM may benefit from immunosuppressive therapy.

References

 Sclerosing mesenteritis involving the pancreas: a mimicker of pancreatic cancer. Scudiere JR, Shi C, Hruban RH, Herman JM, Fishman EK, Schulick RD, Wolfgang CL, Makary MA, Thornton K, Montgomery E, Horton KM. Am J Surg Pathol. 2010 Apr;34(4):447-53. PMID: 20351487

 Sclerosing mesenteritis, mesenteric panniculitis and mesenteric lipodystrophy: a single entity? Emory TS, Monihan JM, Carr NJ, Sobin LH. Am J Surg Pathol. 1997 Apr;21(4):392-8. PMID: 9130985