[Mesenteric panniculitis in a man with abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea].

In a 64-year-old white male with abdominal pain, fever, diarrhoea and weight loss there were radiological signs of mesenteric panniculitis: thickening of the small bowel loops, an infiltrate above the bladder and in the lower right abdomen an ileum loop with a spiculated border, and streaky strands emanating from the mesenteric fat in the lower abdomen. The clinical signs resolved spontaneously with conservative treatment in 3 weeks and after 3 months the radiological abnormalities had disappeared completely. The pathogenesis of mesenteric panniculitis is unknown. The prognosis is favourable. In advanced cases of the disease, anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive medication may be beneficial.