Diagnosis and treatment of abdominal cocoon: a report of 24 cases

Managing abdominal cocoon syndrome complicated by intestinal necrosis and unexpected amelioration of depression after surgery: a case report

BACKGROUND

Abdominal cocoon is a very uncommon yet dangerous cause of intestinal obstruction.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a 62-year-old Asian male patient with a history of depression who exhibited an idiopathic abdominal cocoon complicated by necrosis. Upon laparotomy investigation, nearly the entire small intestine was enveloped in a thick membrane resembling a cocoon, and it was discovered that he lacked a greater omentum. The patient recovered well and was discharged on an oral diet on the 20th day following surgery. During the 3-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic, even gaining 10 kg in weight, and noted that his depression had improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Small bowel obstruction presents with nonspecific symptoms, posing challenges in differential diagnosis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is recommended since it facilitates precise preoperative assessment, optimizing surgical planning and reducing postoperative complications. Remarkably, cessation of antidepressant medication post-surgery hints at a potential correlation between omental deficit, gut microbiota alterations, and depressive symptoms.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis: A rare cause of intestinal obstruction in 2 patients

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a very rare cause of intestinal obstruction. It usually follows peritoneal dialysis. The idiopathic form is also called abdominal cocoon and is more common in tropical and subtropical regions. We hereby present the clinical histories and imaging findings of 2 confirmed cases of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis who presented with chronic symptoms of bowel obstruction.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome-a rare culprit behind small bowel ischemia and obstruction: Three case reports

BACKGROUND

Abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS) represents a category within sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, characterized by the encapsulation of internal organs with a fibrous, cocoon-like membrane of unknown origin, resulting in bowel obstruction and ischemia. Diagnosing this condition before surgery poses a challenge, often requiring confirmation during laparotomy. In this context, we depict three instances of ACS: One linked to intestinal obstruction, the second exclusively manifesting as intestinal ischemia without any obstruction, and the final case involving a discrepancy between the radiologist and the surgeon.

CASE SUMMARY

Three male patients, aged 53, 58, and 61 originating from Northern Thailand, arrived at our medical facility complaining of abdominal pain without any prior surgeries. Their vital signs remained stable during the assessment. The diagnosis of abdominal cocoon was confirmed through abdominal computed tomography (CT) before surgery. In the first case, the CT scan revealed capsules around the small bowel loops, showing no enhancement, along with mesenteric congestion affecting both small and large bowel loops, without a clear obstruction. The second case showed intestinal obstruction due to an encapsulated capsule on the CT scan. In the final case, a patient presented with recurring abdominal pain. Initially, the radiologist suspected enteritis as the cause after the CT scan. However, a detailed review led the surgeon to suspect encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (ACS) and subsequently perform surgery. The surgical procedure involved complete removal of the encapsulating structure, resection of a portion of the small bowel, and end-to-end anastomosis. No complications occurred during surgery, and the patients had a smooth recovery after surgery, eventually discharged in good health. The histopathological examination of the fibrous membrane (cocoon) across all cases consistently revealed the presence of fibro-collagenous tissue, without any indications of malignancy.

CONCLUSION

Individuals diagnosed with abdominal cocoons commonly manifest vague symptoms of abdominal discomfort. An elevated degree of clinical suspicion, combined with the application of appropriate radiological evaluations, markedly improves the probability of identifying the abdominal cocoon before surgical intervention. In cases of complete bowel obstruction or ischemia, the established norm is the comprehensive removal of the peritoneal sac as part of standard care. Resection with intestinal anastomosis is advised solely when ischemia and gangrene have been confirmed.

Primary abdominal cocoon syndrome manifesting with Chilaiditi syndrome and intestinal obstruction: A case report

Key Clinical Message

Abdominal cocoon syndrome and Chilaiditi syndrome are rare etiologies of bowel obstruction which have to be considered in patients with obstructive symptoms. Patients can profit from surgical management rather than non-surgical approach.

Abstract

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis or abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS) is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstructions associated with encapsulation of the small bowel by a fibro collagenous sac. Clinical presentations of ACS are unspecific and most patients are diagnosed intraoperatively. Moreover, Chilaiditi syndrome is another rare cause of bowel obstruction defined by interposition of colon and liver. There is no reported relation between these two conditions and surgical intervention is the suggested approach for severe bowel obstruction following them individually. We present a case with both conditions and describe our approach. A 47-year-old male presented with complaints of colic abdominal pain and distention, nausea and several attacks of bilious and nonbilious vomiting, anorexia, and constipation in the last 10 days before his admission. Laboratory data were normal and abdominal X-ray showed large dilation at the distal part of the bowel without air fluid level. The patient underwent explorative laparotomy and a mass-like lesion containing necrotic bowel and a whitish spleen accompanied by a complete anterior-rotated liver was found. The encapsulated bowel and the spleen were resected followed by the complete resolution of symptoms in the patient. The intestinal obstruction caused by ACS is mostly approached by surgery to prevent the fatal sequela of this condition.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis causing fatal bowel obstruction

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare condition characterised by a fibrotic peritoneal membrane encasing loops of bowel often resulting in obstruction. We present a case of SEP complicated by non-resolving small bowel obstruction in the context of prior malignancies and surgical complications. A literature review on SEP was performed to outline potential aetiologies, diagnostic investigations and treatment strategies that may be considered in the management of this disease.

Intestinal Obstruction Unraveled: A Rare Case of Primary Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis

Primary sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (PSEP), also known as abdominal cocoon syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by small bowel encapsulation by a fibrous membrane or a cocoon-like sac. It is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction, as less than 300 cases have been reported from all over the world. We present the case of a 57-year-old male patient who presented with acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. A trial of conservative management failed, which warranted surgical intervention. Adhesiolysis was done, resulting in the relief of the intestinal obstruction caused by cocoon syndrome. The patient experienced excellent clinical improvement postoperatively and remained symptom-free during follow-up. Primary sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis poses a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and nonspecific clinical presentation. A high index of suspicion, a thorough history review, a physical examination, and imaging studies are crucial for an accurate diagnosis. This case report emphasizes the importance of recognizing abdominal cocoon syndrome as a potential cause of intestinal obstruction and highlights the successful management of the condition. This is the first case of such a disease entity to be reported from Palestine.

Primary Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis (PSEP) With Meckel's Diverticulum: A Rare Case Report

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare disease. Preoperative diagnosis of SEP can be made with imaging, such as computed tomography (CT). SEP is characterized by a partial or complete encasement of the small intestine by a layer of a thick grayish-white fibro collagenous membrane similar to an abdominal cocoon. The most common symptoms of SEP are abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. This rare disease often leads to acute or sub-acute intestinal obstruction. We discuss, in this report, how we managed a case of primary sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis with Meckel's diverticulum at our institution.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome (idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis): An extremely rare cause of small bowel obstruction-Two case reports and a review of literature

Introduction

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in which the bowel and internal abdominal organs are wrapped with a fibrocollagenous cocoon-like encapsulating membrane [1,2]. SEP is divided into two entities: abdominal cocoons (AC), also known as idiopathic or primary sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, which is of extremely rare type, and secondary sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, which is the more common type.

Case presentation

Two male patients from India, a 26 year old and a 36 year old, presented to our hospital complaining about abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting without any history of previous surgical interventions; the patients' vitals were stable. Preoperative diagnosis of abdominal cocoon was established by abdominal computed tomography. It showed multiple dilated fluid-filled small bowel loops in the center of the abdominal cavity with thin soft tissue, non-enhancing capsules encasing the small bowel loops with mesenteric congestion involving small and large bowel loops. Both patients underwent complete surgical excision of the sac without intraoperative complications. Patients had a smooth postoperative hospital course and were discharged home in good conditions.

Conclusion

Patients with abdominal cocoons have a non-specific clinical presentation of intestinal obstruction. A high index of clinical suspicion in combination with the appropriate radiological investigation will increase the chance of preoperative detection of the abdominal cocoon. In patients with complete bowel obstruction, complete excision of the peritoneal sac is the standard of care.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome: Rare cause of intestinal obstruction-Case report and systematic review of literature

BACKGROUND

Abdominal cocoon or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is an uncommon condition in which the small bowel is completely or partially encased by a thick fibrotic membrane. Our study presents a case of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis and conducts a literature review.

METHODS

A bibliographic research was conducted. Our research comprised 97 articles. Gender, age, symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment were all included in the database of patient characteristics.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 51-year-old man complaining of a 2-day history of minor diffuse abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and constipation was presented in emergency department. Physical examination was indicative of intestinal obstruction. Laboratory tests were normal. Diffuse intraperitoneal fluid and dilated small intestinal loops were discovered on computed tomography (CT). An exploratory laparotomy was recommended, in which the sac membrane was removed and adhesiolysis was performed. He was discharged on the tenth postoperative day.

RESULTS

There were 240 cases of abdominal cocoon syndrome in total. In terms of gender, 151 of 240 (62.9%) were male and 89 of 240 (37%) were female. Ages between 20 and 40 are most affected. Symptoms include abdominal pain and obstruction signs. For the diagnosis of abdominal cocoon syndrome, CT may be the gold standard imaging method. The surgical operation was the treatment of choice in the vast majority of cases (96.7%). Only 69 of 239 patients (28.9%) were detected prior to surgery, and CT was applied in these cases.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal cocoon is a rare condition marked by recurrent episodes of intestinal obstruction. Surgical therapy is the most effective treatment option.

Case Report: Abdominal Cocoon With Jejuno-Ileo-Colonic Fistula

Introduction

Abdominal cocoon is a unique peritoneal disease that is frequently misdiagnosed. The occurrence of the abdominal cocoon with a jejuno-ileo-colonic fistula has not been previously reported.

Case Presentation

We admitted a 41-year-old female patient with an abdominal cocoon and a jejuno-ileo-colonic fistula. She was admitted to our hospital for the following reasons: “the menstrual cycle is prolonged for half a year, and fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath for 2 months”. On the morning of the 4th day of admission, the patient experienced sudden, severe, and intolerable abdominal pain after defecating. An emergency abdominal CT examination revealed intestinal obstruction. Surgery was performed, and the small intestine and colon were observed to be conglutinated and twisted into a mass surrounded by a fibrous membrane, and an enteroenteric fistula was observed between the jejunum, ileum, and sigmoid colon. We successfully relieved the intestinal obstruction and performed adhesiolysis. The patient was discharged from our hospital on the 6th postoperative day, then she recovered and was discharged from Feicheng People's Hospital after another 11 days of conservative treatment, and she recovered well-during the 2-month follow-up period.

Conclusion

Abdominal cocoon coexisting with a jejuno-ileo-colonic fistula is very rare. During the process of abdominal cocoon treatment, the patient's medical history should be understood in detail before the operation, and the abdominal organs should be carefully evaluated during the operation to avoid missed diagnoses.

Laparoscopic ovariectomy in a dog with type III sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis and literature review

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a rare and not well-recognized disease in veterinary medicine. A 14-month-old female intact mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) at the age of 5 months after a routine work-up including biopsies from an exploratory laparotomy. Symptomatic treatment with an immunosuppressive dose of prednisolone was started, but dose reduction was unsuccessful. Combined treatment with tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator used for its TGF-β1 suppression of fibroblasts was discussed; the owner was informed about the risk for developing a pyometra. About one year later the owner wanted to spay her dog and an ovariectomy was recommended, especially due to the extensive adhesions. A laparoscopic approach was chosen to reduce the amount of intraoperative tissue manipulation and inflammation, as well as to minimize the size of the incision. The dog continues to be doing well one year after surgery and prednisolone could be reduced to a low maintenance dose after surgery; so far, the addition of tamoxifen was not required. In selected cases, laparoscopy appears as a safe alternative in patients with adhesions, but the surgeon should always be prepared to convert in case of impaired vision, especially in the absence of tactile sensation. This case report is the first description of laparoscopy in a dog with SEP. Laparoscopy may serve as an easily accomplished minimally invasive method to diagnose SEP, but further studies are required.

Abdominal Cocoon With Intestinal Perforation: A Case Report

Introduction: Abdominal cocoon is a very rare abdominal disease. Abdominal cocoon mainly leads to intestinal obstruction, and abdominal cocoon with gastrointestinal perforation is rare.

Case Presentation: We report a 63-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with “persistent lower abdominal pain for one day”. Abdominal CT examination revealed a small amount of free gas in the abdominal cavity, ascites, and gastrointestinal perforation. An emergency operation was performed. During the operation, the end of the right lower abdominal ileum was found to be conglutinated and twisted into a mass, a local intestinal dilatation, and obstruction, local intestinal wall was black and gangrene, and fecal effusion flowed out. The adhesions were carefully separated, and the necrotic small intestine was removed. The operation process went smoothly, and the patient recovered well after the operation.

Conclusion: The cases of intestinal perforation caused by the abdominal cocoon are very rare. In clinical work, when we encounter patients with gastrointestinal perforation, we need to carefully ask the history. When the patients had no digestive system diseases in the past, we need to consider the possibility of the abdominal cocoon with perforation.

Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome: A Laparoscopic Approach

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, or abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS), is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in which the small bowel is encapsulated by a fibro-collagenous membrane. We present the case of a 29-year-old male who presented to us with acute intestinal obstruction. The imaging performed suggested the presence of ACS. The patient underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis and the small bowel was released. In cases of recurrent small bowel obstruction, a high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of ACS. Computed tomography can be a useful imaging modality, and surgery remains the mainstay of treatment.

An unusual case of intestinal obstruction due to abdominal cocoon: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Abdominal cocoon (AC) or Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction and due to non-specific presentation, it can be misdiagnosed and often mistreated.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of 42 years male with a history suggestive of complete small bowel obstruction (SBO) without a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or peritoneal dialysis. CT imaging as well as the intraoperative finding of a cocoon membrane encasing the small bowel led to the diagnosis of abdominal cocoon.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Abdominal cocoon can be idiopathic or secondary to peritoneal dialysis, tuberculosis, or other rare causes. Patients usually present with features of SBO with varying severity. Diagnosis is aided by imaging investigations mainly CT scan and management is primarily surgical and usually involves adhesiolysis, total removal of the membrane with or without bowel loop resection.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of abdominal cocoon warrants awareness of the disease and a high index of suspicion of the treating clinician in patients with intestinal obstruction and an abdominal lump without a history of previous abdominal surgery. CT can guide diagnosis and early operative management seems to bear the best outcomes.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis as a rare cause of intestinal obstruction after the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma: a case report and review of the literature

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction that is characterized by a thick greyish-white fibrotic membrane encasing the small bowel. The clinical features are typically nonspecific, and they occasionally present with recurrent episodes of incomplete or complete intestinal obstruction. The etiology of SEP remains unclear, and the diagnosis is often delayed mainly due to the lack of specific symptoms. Here, we first report a patient who suffered from SEP after treatment for malignant mesothelioma (MM) with tumor resection supplemented with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) once and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) eight times. The patient was discharged ten days after surgery and was free of complications at the 4-month follow-up. In addition, we reviewed the published literature from PubMed, only 7 articles of 16 cases finally met the defined requirements. Nine cases of SEP after IPC and 7 cases of SEP after HIPEC were previously reported. We synthetically review the pathogenesis, treatments, and outcomes. In conclusion, SEP is a rare abdominal disease, which is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. CT scanning is the most helpful imaging method for the diagnosis of SEP. Surgery is the most effective method for diagnosis and treatment, if conservative treatment has no effect or abdominal symptoms are aggravated.

Abdominal cocoon: precipitated by laparoscopic gas insufflation

A young male in his early 30s presented to us with increasing swelling at the umbilicus, and an umbilical hernia was diagnosed. At laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair, an unexpected finding of a thin innocuous-looking fibrous film over the small bowel was noted. This finding presented a dilemma as to the probable pathology of this material, and a decision had to be made on whether laparoscopic IPOM could be continued. It was prudently decided to abandon the plan of placing a mesh intraperitoneally and an open repair of the umbilical hernia was done. In retrospect this was a wise decision, as, after 7 months he had to have a laparotomy for intestinal obstruction, when the classic thick fibrous encapsulating abdominal cocoon was seen. Hence here we have followed the evolution of the abdominal cocoon from its original asymptomatic phase to the classic encapsulating sclerosing peritonitis with probably laparoscopic gas insufflation being the precipitating factor.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis caused by cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy: a case report

Background

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare condition in which the small intestine is covered by an inflammatory fibrocollagenous membrane; the exact etiology of EPS is unclear. Herein, we report the case of our patient who underwent hemodialysis and cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) and was diagnosed with EPS.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old Japanese man visited our emergency department with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. He had a medical history of cirrhosis due to hepatitis C for 25 years. He had undergone partial resection of the small intestine 2 years earlier for an incarcerated hernia. One year earlier, he experienced renal failure due to hepatorenal syndrome and started hemodialysis three times a week and CART twice a month. Physical examination of the abdominal wall revealed a lack of peristalsis of the intestinal tract and strong tenderness on palpation.

Because hernia of the small intestine was found on computed tomography, we suspected strangulation ileus, requiring emergency operation. When the abdomen was opened, the entire small intestine was found to be wrapped in a fibrous membrane and constricted by it. The patient was diagnosed with EPS; hence, during surgery, the fibrous membrane was excised, resulting in decompression of the intestinal tract and subsequent recovery.

Conclusions

EPS is thought to be related to various elements, but no case of EPS induced by CART has been reported to date. EPS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction in patients undergoing CART for refractory ascites.

A rare case of intestinal obstruction: Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis of unknown cause

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is characterized by the partial or complete enclosing of the small intestines by a thick fibro-collagenous membrane, which can cause recurrent intestinal obstruction. SEP is a clinically rare disease, and the major risk factor is peritoneal dialysis (PD). Early diagnosis of SEP is an important factor in the patient's prognosis, but it is clinically difficult. A 52-year-old woman visited the emergency department (ED) with a 2-day history of abdominal pain and vomiting. She had a history of liver cirrhosis with chronic hepatitis B, but no history of PD, and she underwent a biopsy of the peritoneum by laparoscopy a month ago. On physical examination, there were peritoneal irritation signs on the right lower quadrant (RLQ). Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed dilated small intestinal loops clustered in the RLQ, which were surrounded by a sac-like, thick fibrous membrane. Based on CT findings, small intestinal obstruction due to SEP was early diagnosed in the ED. Emergency physicians should include SEP in the differential diagnosis of the cause of intestinal obstruction. Abdominal CT is a useful modality for the early diagnosis of SEP in the ED.

Idiopathic cocoon abdomen with congenital colon malrotation: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Cocoon abdomen is a relatively rare abdominal disease characterized by the total or partial encasement of the small intestinal by a dense fibro-collagenous membrane.

CASE PRESENTATION

We reported an unusual case of idiopathic cocoon abdomen with congenital colon malrotation. Laparotomy and sac release were performed on the patient. The patient was no recurrence 6 months after operation. A literature review was also performed.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative diagnosis of abdominal cocoon is difficult. A careful history, physical examination and appropriate radiology may be helpful in making a definitive diagnosis. If conservative treatment can't relieve symptoms effectively, surgery is currently considered to be important in the management of this disease.

Two Different Clinical Approaches with Mortality Assessment of Four Cases: Complete and Incomplete Type of Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome

Abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS), also called sclerosing encapsulated peritonitis, is a condition characterized by encapsulation of all or some of small bowel loops by a thick fibrous membrane. Etiologic cause is not fully known. It is among the rare causes of intestinal obstruction in adults. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult, and high suspicion is required. Diagnosis is generally made during laparotomy performed due to mechanical obstruction. In treatment of the condition, large scale surgical resections should be avoided. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate all clinical and radiological characteristics and surgical treatment of ACS in light of the literature through four patients operated in our clinic.

Mechanical intestinal obstruction following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in a patient with abdominal cocoon syndrome

Abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS) is a rare condition characterized by partial or complete encasement of small intestine by a thick fibro-collagenous membrane. A 65-year-old man presented to the surgical department with left inguinal. He underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia. When we inserted a trocar into the peritoneal cavity, the small intestine was injured and repaired immediately. We identified a fibrotic membrane covering the small intestine, which was found as ACS. Two weeks later after discharge, he presented to the emergency department with mechanical intestinal obstruction. Conservative treatment had no effect on the patient and membrane excision, adhesiolysis and small intestine resection with anastomosis were performed. Unfortunately, the patient was hospitalized for a long time with bowel leakage and discharged on postoperative day 48. The preoperative diagnosis is quite challenging and most cases are diagnosed intraoperatively. When finding the ACS during the operation, careful attention should be needed.

Living donor liver transplantation in a patient with cocoon abdomen - Anesthesia concerns!

Cocoon abdomen is a rare condition in which abdominal structures are surrounded by thick encapsulating peritoneum resulting in dense adhesions. Liver transplant is a high risk surgery with an already increased risk of massive blood loss due to the pre-existing coagulopathy and portal hypertension. Presence of cocoon abdomen with severe dense adhesions can either lead to difficult hepatectomy with massive intra-operative blood loss or failure to proceed with the surgery. This becomes even more important in live donor liver transplantation where it may not be possible to abandon the surgery once the donor liver resection is started. Thus keeping a high suspicion of cocoon abdomen in patients with previous history of kochs abdomen and on long term beta blocker therapy is of utmost importance and this can decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. A 41 year old male known case of chronic liver disease was posted for live donor liver transplantation. After opening the abdomen thick dense adhesions were found around the intestines and the liver. Due to the dense adhesions surgical team was in dilemma whether to proceed further for the surgery or not. Intra-operatively patient had a blood loss of 12.5 litre. Despite massive transfusion the postoperative course went uneventful and the patient was extubated on 2nd post-operative day. He was shifted out of Intensive care unit on the 6th post-operative day. Cocoon abdomen should be suspected in a chronic liver disease patient with previous history of tuberculosis or on long term beta blocker therapy. Proper preparation before surgery can decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with this major surgery. Our case report clearly shows that such types of patients can be taken up for the live donor liver transplantation surgery with a precaution to start donor hepatectomy only after surgeon has assessed the difficulty status of recipient hepatectomy.

Abdominal cocoon with early postoperative small bowel obstruction: A case report and review of literature in China

RATIONALE

Abdominal cocoon is a condition in which intestinal obstruction results from the encasement of part or whole of the small bowel by a thick fibrous membrane, giving the appearance of a cocoon. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult to be made and the treatment is still controversial.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Here we describe the case of a 62-year-old male presented with a 24-h history of continual colicky abdominal pain, which was accompanied with nausea and vomiting.

DIAGNOSIS

Accurate diagnosis of abdominal cocoon was made intraoperatively.

INTERVENTIONS

Membrane excision and adhesiolysis were performed and the patient experienced early postoperative small bowel obstruction. Nasointestinal obstruction tube was then installed and bowel function was gradually recovered by the 20th postoperative day.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital on the 30th postoperative day LESSONS:: Abdominal cocoon can occur at any age. The possibility of abdominal cocoon should also be considered in infertile patients. Imaging studies may be helpful to make the correct diagnosis, and surgery should be performed for patients with recurrent acute or chronic intestinal obstruction.

The diagnostic and therapeutic management of a peculiar case of rectal submucosal adenocarcinoma

Introduction. We are presenting the case of a 50 years old female patient with rectal cancer, developed from the submucosal level, who raised difficulties in diagnoses process and therapeutic management. Case report. The patient’s symptomatology began four months before the definitive diagnose. Various investigations have been performed, including multiple biopsies which were inconclusive. Surgical intervention was performed to obtain definitive malignancy HP result. The postoperative evolution was peculiar, marked by complications, which required multiple surgical interventions. Conclusions. The development of the adenoma, predominantly at the submucosal and muscular level has caused difficulties in both establishing the diagnosis and in the therapeutic management. Sclerosing encapsulated peritonitis (SEP) is a rare clinical entity, usually discovered in postoperative intestinal obstruction cases. The etiology and frequency of SEP depend on its’ type.

Diagnosis and Treatment of 26 Cases of Abdominal Cocoon

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Abdominal cocoon (AC) is a rare abdominal disease with nonspecific clinical features, and it is difficult to be diagnosed before operation and hard to be treated in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnosis and treatment of AC.

METHODS

The clinical manifestations, findings during surgery, treatments, and follow-up results of 26 cases of AC were retrospectively studied from January 2001 to January 2015.

RESULTS

All of 26 cases were diagnosed as AC definitely by laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery. Their clinical findings were various, with 7 intestines obstructed with bezoars and 4 intestines perforated by spiny material. Based on the existence of the second enterocoelia, all cases were categorized into 2 types: type I is absent of second enterocoelia (18 cases, 69.23%), while type II shows second enterocoelia (8 cases, 30.77%). Twenty cases (12 were type I and 8 were type II) underwent membrane excision and careful enterodialysis to release the small intestine entirely or partially, while the other 6 cases (all were type I) did not. In addition, all patients were treated with medical treatment and healthy diet and lifestyle. Finally, most of the patients recovered smoothly.

CONCLUSIONS

AC can be categorized into two types; surgery is recommended for type II and part of type I with severe complications, but sometimes conservative therapy might be appropriate for type I. Laparoscopic surgery plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of AC. Furthermore, favorite health education, healthy diet and lifestyle are of significance in patients' recovery.

Tubercular abdominal cocoon in children - a single centre study in remote area of northern India

BACKGROUND

Amongst the numerous causes of intestinal obstruction listed in the literature, sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis also called Abdominal Cocoon (AC) is one of the rarest entities. Its characteristic feature is a thick fibrotic membrane encasing varying lengths of the small and large gut in a cocoon. In India, there is an increasing incidence of tuberculosis, especially in the rural areas.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical presentation and evaluate the operative findings of tuberculous AC. We also evaluated the outcomes and response to anti tuberculous treatment (ATT) in all the patients diagnosed with this condition.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was carried out at M.M. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala, India between April 2013 - March 2016 in the Department of Pediatric Surgery. This is a prospective study. A total of 17 patients diagnosed with abdominal cocoon secondary to tuberculosis have been included in the study.

RESULTS

A total of 17 patients presented to the emergency ward with features of acute intestinal obstruction. The average age was 15.3 years (range 9 years to 16 years). There were 14 females and 3 males. All patients presented with abdominal pain, bilious vomiting, constipation and abdominal distention. The patients were operated in our hospital and relieved of their obstruction. Based on their operative findings and after histopathological confirmation, patients were given ATT. In the follow-up, all patients did well, without recurrence of tuberculosis or intestinal obstruction.

CONCLUSION

Tuberculosis as a cause of childhood AC is rather common in developing countries and is potentially a fatal condition. A strong clinical suspicion, sonographic and computed tomography scan findings help establish a pre-operative diagnosis. Tuberculous AC has a strong prevalence in females. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment followed by anti-tuberculous drugs.

The enigma of primary and secondary encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis

Background

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) describes a variety of diseases that are frequently confused with different names and different etiopathogeneses. The aim of this article is to report personal experience of focusing on correct classification and the status of current diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed. Age, sex, ethnic origin, past medical history, symptoms and their duration, radiological tools and signs, laboratory tests, preoperative diagnosis, surgical approach, intraoperative findings, pathological findings, hospital stay, morbidity and mortality were studied.

Results

A total of seven patients, including six males and one female, aged from 24 to 72 years were observed. Four patients had recurrent abdominal colic pain for 3 months, 1, 2 and 9 years; two patients also reported recurrent attacks but without any specification of the duration. All seven patients presented at the emergency department with abdominal pain that was mainly diffused over the entire abdomen. Six patients were submitted to a CT scan. Only in two patients was the diagnosis of EPS made preoperatively. All seven patients were submitted to open surgery. The hospital stay was between 4 and 60 days. One patient had morbidity, and one patient died of MOF.

Conclusions

Currently, the correct identification of EPS is more easily possible than in the past, but the diagnosis is still a challenge. Surgery must be performed as soon as possible to avoid a poorer quality of life.

Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis: Review

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of the peritoneum with an unknown aetiology. Also known as abdominal cocoon, the condition occurs when loops of the bowel are encased within the peritoneal cavity by a membrane, leading to intestinal obstruction. Due to its rarity and non-specific clinical features, it is often misdiagnosed. The condition presents with recurrent episodes of small bowel obstruction and can be idiopathic or secondary; the latter is associated with predisposing factors such as peritoneal dialysis or abdominal tuberculosis. In the early stages, patients can be managed conservatively; however, surgical intervention is necessary for those with advanced stage intestinal obstruction. A literature review revealed 118 cases of SEP; the mean age of these patients was 39 years and 68.0% were male. The predominant presentation was abdominal pain (72.0%), distension (44.9%) or a mass (30.5%). Almost all of the patients underwent surgical excision (99.2%) without postoperative complications (88.1%).

Unusual intestinal obstruction due to idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis: a report of two cases and a review

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction that is characterized by a thick fibrotic membrane encasing the small intestine like a cocoon. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is often difficult. We present 2 cases of SEP that were diagnosed preoperatively by contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan. A 38-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman were admitted to Daegu Catholic University Medical Center because of recurrent intestinal obstruction. We performed exploratory laparotomy with doubt of the preoperative diagnosis of SEP. We confirmed the diagnosis of SEP on laparotomy and performed adhesiolysis. Both patients recovered successfully and had no signs of recurrence. A better awareness of SEP and its radiological features should lead to more correct preoperative diagnosis and result in more appropriate management, including surgery.

Surgical treatment and perioperative management of idiopathic abdominal cocoon: single-center review of 65 cases

BACKGROUND

The abdominal cocoon (AC) is a condition in which a variable length of healthy small bowel is enveloped in a fibrocollagenous membrane, giving the appearance of a cocoon. Early experiences with treatment were associated with high mortality and morbidity rates and a low preoperative diagnostic rate, leading to underestimation of the treatment benefit of surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 65 patients who were diagnosed as having AC from 2001 to 2011. The clinical data, surgical intervention, and perioperative management were carefully reviewed.

RESULTS

The 65 patients (57 male, 8 female) had a median age of 39 years (range 14-79 years). Patients who received preoperative nutritional support had higher rate of grade 0 complications (p = 0.012) and a lower rate of grade II complications (p = 0.012) than those without nutritional support. Intestinal stenting during surgical intervention also decreased both grade I (p = 0.012) and grade II (p = 0.007) complications. Patients who received preoperative nutritional support and underwent intestinal stenting had a lower rate of postoperative complications (p < 0.05). In addition, patients with preoperative nutritional support were more satisfied postoperatively (p = 0.018) than those without nutritional support. This was also observed in patients with intestinal stenting versus those without it (p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Our single-center study with a large number of patients provided evidence regarding the epidemiology of AC. Preoperative nutritional support and intestinal stenting significantly reduced postoperative complications and, more importantly, increased postoperative satisfaction.

Intestinal Obstruction Due to Idiopathic Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is characterized by partial or complete encasement of small intestine by a thick fibrocollagenous membrane. Depending on underlying causes, SEP is divided into primary and secondary forms. Idiopathic SEP is also called idiopathic or abdominal cocoon syndrome. Herein we presented a case of idiopathic SEP.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 90-year-old male patient presented to our emergency department with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction and dehydration. Physical examination findings, patient's age and plain abdominal radiography were consistent with tumoral obstruction or viscus perforation. Explorative laparotomy revealed a fibrous capsule encasing intestines as well as dense adhesions between intestinal loops. Since the overall condition of the patient was not well enough to allow a wide dissection and membrane excision, the operation was terminated after performing a limited loop ileostomy. Unfortunately, the patient was lost due to organ failure at the postoperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite advances in radiological techniques, the exact diagnosis in many cases is still made according to intraoperative findings and histopathological properties of the excised membrane. While some cases of SEP remain asymptomatic for years, most cases are characterized by recurrent bouts of acute, subacute or chronic intestinal obstruction. To our knowledge, the case presented here is the oldest patient with idiopathic SEP in the literature.

Accurate definition and management of idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis

AIM

To review the literature on idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP), also known as abdominal cocoon syndrome.

METHODS

The PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Google databases were searched using specific key words to identify articles related to idiopathic SEP. These key words were "sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis," "idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis," "abdominal cocoon," and "abdominal cocoon syndrome." The search included letters to the editor, case reports, review articles, original articles, and meeting presentations published in the English-language literature from January 2000 to May 2014. Articles or abstracts containing adequate information about age, sex, symptom duration, initial diagnosis, radiological tools, and surgical approaches were included in the study. Papers with missing or inadequate data were excluded.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 73 articles on idiopathic (primary) SEP published in 23 countries. The four countries that published the greatest number of articles were India (n = 21), Turkey (n = 14), China (n = 8) and Nigeria (n = 3). The four countries that reported the greatest number of cases were China (n = 104; 53.88%), India (n = 35; 18.13%), Turkey (n = 17; 8.80%) and Nigeria (n = 5; 2.59%). The present study included 193 patients. Data on age could be obtained for 184 patients (range: 7-87 years; mean ± SD, 34.7 ± 19.2 years), but were unavailable for nine patients. Of the 184 patients, 122 were male and 62 were female; sex data could not be accessed in the remaining nine patients. Of the 149 patients whose preoperative diagnosis information could be obtained, 65 (43.6%) underwent operations for abdominal cocoon, while the majority of the remaining patients underwent operations for a presumed diagnosis of intestinal obstruction and/or abdominal mass. Management information could be retrieved for 115 patients. Of these, 68 underwent excision + adhesiolysis (one laparoscopic); 24 underwent prophylactic appendectomy in addition to excision + adhesiolysis. Twenty patients underwent various resection and repair techniques along with excision + adhesiolysis. The remaining three patients were managed with antituberculosis therapy (n = 2) and immunosuppressive therapy (n = 1).

CONCLUSION

Idiopathic SEP is a rare disorder characterized by frequently recurring bouts of intestinal obstruction. Surgical therapy is the gold standard management strategy.

Cocoon abdomen - A rare cause of intestinal obstruction

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Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis persistent low-grade peritonitis.

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Most cases are discovered incidentally on laparotomy.

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Computed tomography or barium meal may be helpful in preoperative diagnosis.

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Simple removal of the membrane and lysis of the adhesions produces optimal outcome. Bowel resection is indicated only when the intestine is nonviable.

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A high index of suspicion and appropriate radiology can prevent ‘surprises’ and unnecessary bowel resection.

INTRODUCTION

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis or abdominal cocoon is a rare condition of unknown etiology in which intestinal obstruction result from encasement of variable length of bowel by dense fibro collagenous membrane.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A case of young male is reported who presented with features of small bowel obstruction with tender mass in the right iliac fossa. CT scan suggested features of internal herniation. On exploration, he was found to have small intestine, large intestine, stomach and liver covered with a thick cocoon like membrane. The membrane was gently peeled off the small intestine. The patient recovered well and was discharged on an oral diet.

DISCUSSION

Preoperative diagnosis of abdominal cocoon is difficult and most cases are discovered incidentally on laparotomy. Contrast enhanced computed tomography or barium meal may be helpful in preoperative diagnosis. Surgical treatment is the main stay of treatment for this condition. Simple removal of the membrane and lysis of the adhesions produces optimal outcome. Bowel resection is indicated only when the intestine is nonviable.

CONCLUSION

A high index of suspicion and appropriate radiology can prevent ‘surprises’ and unnecessary bowel resection. Simple removal of the membrane gives a good outcome.

Rare etiology of mechanical intestinal obstruction: Abdominal cocoon syndrome

Abdominal cocoon syndrome is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction with unknown etiology. Diagnosis of this syndrome, which can be summarized as the small intestine being surrounded by a fibrous capsule not containing the mesothelium, is difficult in the preoperative period. A 47-year-old male patient was referred to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting for two days. The abdominal computed tomography examination detected dilated small intestinal loops containing air-fluid levels clustered in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen and surrounded by a thick, saclike, contrast-enhanced membrane. During exploratory surgery, a capsular structure was identified in the upper left quadrant with a regular surface that was solid-fibrous in nature. Abdominal cocoon syndrome is a rarely seen condition, for which the preoperative diagnosis is difficult. The combination of physical examination and radiological signs, and the knowledge of “recurrent characteristics of the complaints” that can be learned by a careful history, may be helpful in diagnosis.

Abdominal cocoon secondary to disseminated tuberculosis

Abdominal cocoon, also known as sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, represents a rare entity where a variable length of the small bowel is enveloped by a fibrocollagenous membrane giving the appearance of a cocoon. It may be asymptomatic and is often diagnosed incidentally at laparotomy. We present a rare case of abdominal cocoon due to abdominal tuberculosis.

Persistent ascites due to sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis mimicking ovarian carcinoma: A case report

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, also known as 'Cocoon Syndrome', is a rare cause of bowel obstruction. The condition might be congenital or acquired and has non-specific symptomatology. Abdominal pain occurs due to the limitation of intestinal motility or segment obstruction by a thick homogenous fibrotic mantle covering the intra-peritoneal organs. Altered peritoneal fluid dynamics result in persistent ascites. Leading pathogenic theories are not well defined, but genetic factors, retrograde trans-tubal flow of causative agents, peritoneal infections, medications and peritoneal invasive procedures are all thought to play a role. There are no specific diagnostic criteria and exact diagnosis is only confirmed during surgery when the investing thick fibrous folds covering the bowel loops are visualised. We present here a case that had been suspected to have an ovarian malignancy due to a huge abdominal heterogeneous mass and ascites on preoperative diagnostic workup, but had a final diagnosis of abdominal Cocoon Syndrome made during surgery.

Does long intestinal tube splinting aggravate intestinal adhesions?

OBJECTIVE

Long intestinal tube splinting (LITS) is useful for clinically reducing the recurrence of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). However, a controversy exists whether LITS aggravates intestinal adhesions. This study evaluated the postoperative effects of LITS relative to simple enterolysis on intestinal adhesions in an experimental porcine model.

METHODS

A porcine model (n = 24) of dense intestinal adhesion was established by abrading the ileal wall with sterile P240 sandpaper. Enterolysis was performed on postoperative day 14. Animals were randomly divided into a group that underwent enterolysis only (control; n = 12) and those who underwent LITS as well as enterolysis (LITS; n = 12). The long intestinal tube was removed on post-LITS day 14, after abdominal radiography. All animals were euthanized on postenterolysis day 28 for assessment of intestinal adhesions using a semiquantitative macroscopic grading scale, hematoxylin-eosin histology, and hydroxyproline assay.

RESULTS

Prior to enterolysis, the experimentally induced intestinal adhesions of the two groups were similar in extent and severity. On postenterolysis day 28 the LITS and control groups were comparable with regard to adhesion loop length (p = .440), macroscopic adhesion severity (p = .820), serosal fibrosis grading (p = .450), and hydroxyproline content of the adhesion ileal segment (p = .630).

CONCLUSION

Placement of the long intestinal tube did not aggravate intestinal adhesions over that of simple enterolysis in this intestinal adhesion porcine model.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis: a case series

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a relatively rare cause of intestinal obstruction characterized by total or partial encapsulation of the small intestine by a thick fibrous membrane and is a difficult preoperative diagnosis. A series of seven cases of SEP is reported. Modalities of preoperative diagnosis along with clinical presentation, operative findings, and histopathology are discussed.

Conservative treatment of early postoperative small bowel obstruction with obliterative peritonitis

AIM: To investigate the effect of somatostatin and dexamethasone on early postoperative small bowel obstruction with obliterative peritonitis (EPSBO-OP).

METHODS: This prospective randomized study included 70 patients diagnosed with EPSBO-OP from June 2002 to January 2009. Patients were randomized into two groups: a control group received total parenteral nutrition and nasogastric (NG) tube feeding; and an intervention group received, in addition, somatostatin and dexamethasone treatment. The primary endpoints were time to resolution of bowel obstruction and length of hospital stay, and the secondary endpoints were daily NG output and NG feeding duration, treatment-related complications, postoperative obstruction relapse, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were allocated to the intervention group and 34 to the control group. No patient needed to undergo surgery. Patients in the intervention group had an earlier resolution of bowel obstruction (22.4 ± 9.1 vs 29.9 ± 10.1 d, P = 0.002). Lower daily NG output (583 ± 208 vs 922 ± 399 mL/d, P < 0.001), shorter duration of NG tube use (16.7 ± 8.8 vs 27.7 ± 9.9 d, P < 0.001), and shorter length of hospital stay (25.8 vs 34.9 d, P = 0.001) were observed in the intervention group. The rate of treatment-related complications (P = 0.770) and relapse of obstruction (P = 0.357) were comparable between the two groups. There were no significant differences in postoperative satisfaction at 1, 2 and 3 years between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: Somatostatin and dexamethasone for EPSBO-OP promote resolution of obstruction and shorten hospital stay, and are safe for symptom control without increasing obstruction relapse.

Cocoon formation in patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumors: a rare and unrecognized final pathway

OBJECTIVES

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are relatively rare with an indolent nature. As a result, treatment is often delayed and passive. The most commonly recognized disease progression leading to death is from the sequelae of bowel obstruction, ischemia, or liver failure secondary to liver metastasis. We recently recognized a rare cocoon-like formation in patients with metastatic gastroenteropancreatic NETs and hypothesize that this may be a distinct, final pathway for these patients.

METHODS

Ten patients with stage IV gastroenteropancreatic NETs, seen at our center between October 2008 and November 2011, who developed a cocoon were identified. Patient's charts, operative reports, pathology, and tumor markers were reviewed.

RESULTS

No discernable predictors were identified as precursors to this condition. One patient survived 13 months after cocoon diagnosis, and the remaining 9 patients were all deceased within 5 months. Surgical treatment was attempted in 6 patients and was only partially successful in 1 patient who had the earliest stage of cocoon formation (type 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Cocoon-like formations in patients with stage IV gastroenteropancreatic NETs is rare and may be a terminal disease progression that has not been previously recognized. The best treatment option remains unknown. Surgical treatment is not advisable, with the exception of type 1 abdominal cocoons.

Small Bowel Injury in Peritoneal Encapsulation following Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

Small bowel encapsulation is a rare entity which is usually found incidentally at autopsy. We report the first case of peritoneal encapsulation encountered serendipitously at laparotomy undertaken for penetrating abdominal trauma and review the literature on peritoneal encapsulation. We also compare this phenomenon to abdominal cocoon and sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis.