[Sclerosing mesenteritis].

A patient with an inflammatory fibrous tumor of the mesenteric fat tissue is reported. Clinical signs were epigastric pain, weight loss and palpable abdominal mass. diagnosis was by abdominal CT and surgical biopsy. The histological feature was diffuse fibrosis. Isolated mesenteric fibrosis is a rare variety of systemic idiopathic fibrosis, a disease entity including fibrosis of the retroperitoneum and other sites. Among possible etiological factors an autoimmune origin, drugs (methysergide) and lymphatic obstruction are discussed. Our patient had congenital hypoplasia of the lymphatic drainage system of the legs. She recovered rapidly and spontaneously and the tumor regressed on CT. Fatal courses are exceptional and medical therapy usually is not required.