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Mesenteric Panniculitis and Sclerosing Mesenteritis: Let's connect
I thought I would start a discussion for patients with Mesenteric Panniculitis. From what I know, this auto-immune disorder has three stages to it, each with differing names (Mesenteric Panniculitis, Schlerosing Mesenteritis, Retractile Mesenteritis). Typically, this appears to be in older individuals with some other under-lying problem (Lymphoma, tumor, diverticulitis).
I have an atypical presentation because I do not have an underlying cause. The doctors seem to be hoping for Lymphoma to appear so they can treat it and have the auto-immune go away. I am interested in hearing from others with this. I had this diagnosed in 2011, so I am interested in hearing more about what this is like to live with. I want to hear from others who also have an atypical presentation. Did is come back? Also interested in hearing from those with Lymphoma. How was the treatment? Did it address the auto-immune?
Pretty much, I am interested in hearing from anyone who has had this, so i can better understand it, and not feel so alone with this!!
Bill
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I am 39 years old. Normally fatty liver doesn’t come this early in life. I’ve had trouble eating dairy and other foods the past ten years so I basically avoided dairy but now it’s not helping. Now with this Mesenteric panniculitis I am definitely having a hard time finding a solution on how to get my body back to normal.
Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare inflammatory condition affecting the fatty tissue of the mesentery in the abdomen. While its exact cause remains unclear, several potential contributing factors have been identified:
🧬 Possible Causes of Mesenteric Panniculitis
Idiopathic Inflammation
In many cases, the inflammation appears spontaneously without a known trigger.
Autoimmune Disorders
The immune system may mistakenly attack mesenteric tissue, leading to chronic inflammation.
Abdominal Surgery or Trauma
Prior surgeries or injuries to the abdomen have been linked to the development of this condition.
Infections
Chronic infections such as tuberculosis, typhoid fever, cholera, syphilis, and Whipple’s disease have been associated with mesenteric panniculitis.
Cancer Associations
Some studies suggest a link between mesenteric panniculitis and cancers like kidney or prostate cancer. About 28% of patients with the condition had a history of these cancers.
Medications and Vascular Issues
Certain medications and vascular problems may also contribute, though evidence is limited.
🧠 Disease Progression
Mesenteric panniculitis can evolve through stages:
Mesenteric Lipodystrophy – Fat tissue is replaced by immune cells.
Mesenteric Panniculitis – Intense inflammation occurs.
Retractile Mesenteritis – Scar tissue forms, potentially causing complications.
Infections
Previous infections might trigger mesenteric panniculitis. Some research has associated mesenteric panniculitis with a history of chronic infections like:
Tuberculosis.
Typhoid fever.
Cholera.
Syphilis.
Whipple’s disease.
Cancer
Mesenteric panniculitis sometimes occurs in people who've been previously treated for cancer. It also sometimes occurs in people with known or soon-to-be-diagnosed cancer outside the mesentery. Previous or current cancer has been reported in up to 30% of cases. Types of cancer associated with mesenteric panniculitis include:
Lymphoma.
Carcinoid tumors.
Colon cancer.
Kidney cancer.
Prostate cancer.
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