RETRACTILE MESENTERITIS - TO TREAT OR NOT TO TREAT

Retractile mesenteritis is a rare entity characterized by an inflammat ory process of the mesenteric adipose tissue. The disease usually pres ents with abdominal pain. or a palpable abdominal mass. In the majorit y of cases, the disease is self-limiting and the prognosis is favorabl e. In this paper we describe a patient who presented with a 7x8 cm mas s in. the left upper abdomen, nausea and pain in the lower back. Sympt omatic treatment was given. with good result. The literature on differ ent therapeutic intervention is briefly discussed.