Conservative treatment of idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis

We report on a 59-year-old man with periumbilical abdominal pain for 1 week. The pain was dull and persistent. A physical examination revealed a soft, tender abdomen with normoactive bowel sounds and mild rebounding tenderness in the right upper abdomen. The abdominal plain X-ray and abdominal computed-tomography findings were compatible with idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis. The symptoms resolved after only conservative treatment, and the disease did not recur during 5 years of follow-up. Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis is a rare disease, and its pathogenesis is not yet clearly understood; however, it differs from other rare causes of nonthrombotic mesenteric venous occlusion. Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis can be diagnosed on the basis of imaging findings, and most symptoms resolve only after conservative treatment.
Source: Formosan Journal of Surgery - Category: Surgery Source Type: research