IS MESENTERIC PANNICULITIS A SIGN FOR AUTOIMMUNE DIABETES IN ADULTS?

OBJECTIVE

Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) and sclerosing mesenteritis is an umbrella term used to describe a rare, chronic, and frequently benign fibrosing inflammatory disease that affects the adipose tissue of the mesentery. The diagnosis is usually based on imaging (computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance imaging) findings and is confirmed by biopsy. We report the unusual case of a patient with MP with typical CT findings and diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

A 48-year-old male presented for symptomatic new onset DM. An abdominal CT scan revealed a well-defined mesenteric mass compatible with MP. The combination of insulin degludec and sitagliptin/metformin resulted in a decrease of HbA1c; however, this was followed by a subsequent gradual increase in HbA1c and positive glutamic acid decarboxylase auto-antibodies.

RESULTS

The patient developed auto-immune DM that was confirmed by the presence of auto-antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Panniculitis has been infrequently reported in patients with type 2 DM. This is the first report of a patient with MP correlated with auto-immune DM. The possible pathophysiologic mechanisms are discussed.