Sclerosing mesenteritis with occult ileal perforation: report of a case simulating extensive intra-abdominal malignancy.

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare condition that is characterized by fibrosis affecting mainly small-bowel mesentery, which in extensive cases may mimic advanced intra-abdominal malignancy. Establishing the diagnosis in such cases is a clinical and histopathologic challenge. We report the successful management of a case of extensive sclerosing mesenteritis with occult ileal perforation, which was possibly the triggering cause. Severe complications occurred as a result of both the disease itself and its surgical treatment. Despite the complex course and life-threatening complications, a good prognosis can be expected. Although occasional recovery has been attributed to spontaneous regression and response to immunosuppressive therapy, a search for, and full eradication of, possible triggering focus is of paramount importance.