Sclerosing Mesenteritis

Abstract

• We present two patients with an aggressive form of sclerosing mesenteritis characterized by (1) a progressive, lifethreatening course, (2) prominent retroperitoneal disease, and (3) tubuloreticular structures in one case, an ultrastructural feature associated with autoimmune and cyclophosphamideresponsive diseases. In both patients, aggressive immunosuppressive medical therapy with cyclophosphamide resulted in prompt, dramatic improvement, without recurrence. When the diagnosis of sclerosing mesenteritis is established, we recommend early aggressive medical therapy with cyclophosphamide, particularly when tubuloreticular structures are present. (Arch Intern Med 1986;146:503-505)