Answer of August 2003

Clinical History:

Abdominal pain. Weight loss.

        Figure 1. Noncontrast CT abdomen

        Figure 2. Poscontrast CT abdomen

          Figure 3. Poscontrast CT abdomen

Diagnosis:

Mesenteric Panniculitis

Discussion:

CT abdomen shows well-circumscribed inhomogeneous fatty mass with higher attenuation than normal retroperitoneal fat extending from mesenteric root toward left abdomen and surrounding mesenteric vessels without distortion. Scattered, discrete nodules of soft tissue density engulfed by hypodense fatty halo are seen inside the mass. It is chronic nonspecific inflammation involving the adipose tissue of the bowel mesentery.