Mesenteric panniculitis as a presentation of Whipple’s disease: case report and review of the literature
| Journal | Volume 83 - 2020 |
| Issue | Fasc.4 - Case reports |
| Author(s) | L. Verbrugghe 1, K. Verraes 2, S. Vanderschueren 3, S. Vermeire 4, S. Pollet 2, P. De Leyn 5, F. Vandenbussche 2, G. De Hertogh 6 |
| Full article |
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Affiliations: (1) Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven University, Belgium
(2) Department of Gastroenterology, AZ West Veurne, Belgium (3) Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium (4) Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium (5) Department of Abdominal Surgery, AZ West Veurne, Belgium (6) Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium |
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Background: Whipple’s disease is a rare, multi-organ disease caused by Tropheryma Whipplei. A classic presentation is characterized by arthropathy, diarrhea and weight loss but a broad spectrum of manifestations is possible. We present a case of a patient with mesenteric panniculitis as a manifestation of WD. A comprehensive review of the literature is provided. Patient: A 50 year old male presented at the outpatient clinic after an episode of fever and abdominal pain abroad. CT scan showed mesenteric infiltration with associated lymphadenopathies consistent with mesenteric panniculitis. After receiving 6 months of antibiotic therapy abdominal and joint pains improved. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of Whipple’s disease. Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare presentation of this possible lethal infection. The golden standard for diagnosing WD is a PAS positive small bowel biopsy. Adequate antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment and usually leads to an amelioration of symptoms. Keywords: infection, Whipple’s disease, mesenteric, panniculitis, duodenal biopsy. |
| The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. |
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© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica. PMID 33321028 |
