Anaplastic lymphoma masquerading as sclerosing mesenteritis: a case report.

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.