Mesenteric panniculitis. Imaging of a rare cause of chronic abdominal pain.

We report a case of mesenteric panniculitis. This rare and poorly-known disease is characterized by a nonspecific inflammatory process involving the adipose tissue of the mesentery. This case illustrates its computerized tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging features and the value of imaging in differentiating it from other mesenteric diseases and thus, avoiding unnecessary surgery.