An unusual presentation of enterocolic lymphocytic phlebitis

Faisal A. Arain, Juliana Willey, Joel Richter, Anthony Senagore, Robert Petras

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Enterocolic lymphocytic phlebitis (ELP) is a recently described disease characterized by phlebitis in the wall and mesentery of the colon and small bowel. Unlike other systemic or localized vasculitic diseases that can have similar gastrointestinal manifestations, there is no involvement of the arterial system or evidence of systemic vasculitis. The lymphocytic phlebitis affects not only the grossly involved intestinal segment but also the apparently healthy bowel. The diagnosis of ELP is histologic, and other systemic vasculitis must be ruled out. Surgical resection of the bowel not only provides the diagnostic tissue but also leads to resolution of the symptoms. In the literature, ELP has most commonly been reported to present as an acute abdomen. We describe a case of ELP presenting as a large abdominal mass, without evidence of an acute abdomen. This mass was actually diffusely thickened colonic serosa, caused by extensive organizing fat necrosis and marked edema of the serosa and bowel wall.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)252-254
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of clinical gastroenterology
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Abdominal mass
  • Enterocolic lymphocytic phlebitis
  • Small bowel

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology

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