National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Sclerosing mesenteritis

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Other Names:
Retractile mesenteritis; Liposclerotic mesenteritis; Mesenteric lipogranuloma; Retractile mesenteritis; Liposclerotic mesenteritis; Mesenteric lipogranuloma; Mesenteric fibromatosis; Mesenteric panniculitis; Mesenteric lipodystrophy; Peritoneal retractile mesenteritis; Idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis See More
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Sclerosing mesenteritis is one of many terms that describes a spectrum of inflammatory disorders that affect the mesentery. The mesentery is the membrane that anchors the small intestine to the back of the abdominal wall.[1][2][3] The condition mostly affects men between their 40s and 60s, but women and children can also be affected. It may result in a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, weight loss, and fever.[4] Some people have an abdominal mass. The cause of the condition is poorly understood. Suggested possible causes have included previous abdominal surgery or trauma, autoimmunity, paraneoplastic syndromes, ischemic injury, and infection.[4]

Treatment depends on the symptoms in each person and may include the use of glucocorticoids, hormonal therapy (tamoxifen or progesterone), or other medications, either alone or in combination (i.e. glucocorticoids in combination with tamoxifen). Surgery may be needed for an obstruction, if present. Although there are case reports of patients with aggressive disease and fatalities, it appears that the condition usually remains stable or is slowly progessive. In some cases, the condition goes away on its own.[4]
Last updated: 7/24/2017
Sclerosing mesenteritis may cause a variety of gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms, such as:[4]
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Weight loss
  • Abdominal distention (bloating)
  • Fever
  • A palpable abdominal mass

Reports in the literature have indicated that symptoms can last anywhere from days to years.[4] In severe cases, the symptoms can have a significant effect on quality of life.[3] Some individuals develop complications such as a bowel blockage.[1][3]

Last updated: 7/24/2017
To our knowledge, sclerosing mesenteritis is not a hereditary condition. Studies suggest that up to 1 in 100 people may have sclerosing mesenteritis, suggesting that many cases are never diagnosed.[4] While the exact cause of the condition is not known, the following factors have been suggested to possibly play a role in causing the condition in some cases:[4]
Last updated: 8/28/2017
There is no standard therapy for sclerosing mesenteritis, and treatment is based on the severity and specific symptoms in each person. Several medications have been used to try to stabilize the condition either alone or in combination.[4] However, use of most of these medications are based on case reports or small case series.[3] These have included:[4][3]
Surgery is typically reserved for obstructive complications (bowel obstruction). In some cases, the condition goes away on its own.[4]
Last updated: 7/24/2017

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The Mayo Clinic Web site provides information on sclerosing mesenteritis. Click on the link to view the information pages.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.
  • The The Cleveland Clinic Web site has an information page on Sclerosing mesenteritis. Click on the Cleveland Clinic link to view this page.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on mesenteric tumors, including sclerosing mesenteritis (also known as mesenteric lipodystrophy). You may need to register to view the article, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Sclerosing mesenteritis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Selected Full-Text Journal Articles

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • Is Sclerosing Mesenteritis a hereditary disease? My mother has it, is there a chance that my sister and I could also develop it? See answer

  • I had surgery 5 years ago to remove sclerosing mesenteritis. Can this come back? See answer

  • My husband has sclerosing mesenteritis. Is this disease dangerous? See answer


  1. Sclerosing mesenteritis. MayoClinic.org. March 22, 2014; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sclerosing-mesenteritis/basics/definition/con-20037148.
  2. S Akram, DS Pardi, JA Schaffner, TC Smyrk. Sclerosing mesenteritis: clinical features, treatment, and outcome in ninety-two patients. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 May; 5(5):589-96. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=DetailsSearch&Term=17478346%5Buid%5D.
  3. Ehrenpreis ED, Tun NN. Mesenteric Panniculitis. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). 2016; http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/sclerosing-mesenteritis/.
  4. Friedman LS. Sclerosing mesenteritis. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; June, 2017; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sclerosing-mesenteritis.