Imaging in encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis

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.

Intraoperative Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis: A Case Report

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a serious complication of chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) that results in encapsulation of the bowel in a thick, fibrocollagenous membrane. Given its rare and complex nature, diagnosis of EPS often arises late in the disease process or intraoperatively. We report the case of an 86-year-old male with a history of renal failure managed with PD who presented with multiple hospital admissions for recurrent abdominal pain and symptoms of small bowel obstruction. Open laparotomy revealed encasement of the entire abdominal cavity in a cocoon-like membrane, consistent with EPS, which was successfully managed with extensive excision and adhesiolysis. This discussion, enriched by unique radiographic insights and delineation of a surgical strategy, seeks to enhance the understanding of this underreported disease characterized by a lack of definitive treatment and an enigmatic pathophysiology.

Congenital peritoneal encapsulation presented with small bowel obstruction

Background

Congenital peritoneal encapsulation is an extremely rare condition with an etiology based on abnormal embryonic gastrointestinal development. It is characterized by congenital development of an accessory peritoneal layer partially or entirely encapsulating the small bowel. The condition is poorly understood and often discovered incidentally, either intra-operatively or during autopsy. The majority of cases are asymptomatic and rarely complicated by small bowel obstruction. The preoperative diagnosis may be impossible by plain radiographs, which are often normal or may show signs of small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography (CT) may be helpful in preoperative diagnosis of congenital peritoneal encapsulation in a patient with obstruction.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 46-year-old male patient, who presented with features of intestinal obstruction; surprisingly, CT accurately suggested the diagnosis of peritoneal encapsulation which was confirmed at surgery.

Conclusions

The presence of physical signs such as asymmetrical and fixed abdominal distension can help the clinician to raise the suspicion of peritoneal encapsulation; however, CT in the right settings can confirm the diagnosis.

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis: Pathophysiology and Current Treatment Options

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a life-threatening complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD), which may even occur after patients have switched to hemodialysis (HD) or undergone kidney transplantation. The incidence of EPS varies across the globe and increases with PD vintage. Causative factors are the chronic exposure to bioincompatible PD solutions, which cause long-term modifications of the peritoneum, a high peritoneal transporter status involving high glucose concentrations, peritonitis episodes, and smoldering peritoneal inflammation. Additional potential causes are predisposing genetic factors and some medications. Clinical symptoms comprise signs of intestinal obstruction and a high peritoneal transporter status with incipient ultrafiltration failure. In radiological, macro-, and microscopic studies, a massively fibrotic and calcified peritoneum enclosed the intestine and parietal wall in such cases. Empirical treatments commonly used are corticosteroids and tamoxifen, which has fibrinolytic properties. Immunosuppressants like azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, or mTOR inhibitors may also help with reducing inflammation, fibrin deposition, and collagen synthesis and maturation. In animal studies, N-acetylcysteine, colchicine, rosiglitazone, thalidomide, and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors yielded promising results. Surgical treatment has mainly been performed in severe cases of intestinal obstruction, with varying results. Mortality rates are still 25–55% in adults and about 14% in children. To reduce the incidence of EPS and improve the outcome of this devastating complication of chronic PD, vigorous consideration of the risk factors, early diagnosis, and timely discontinuation of PD and therapeutic interventions are mandatory, even though these are merely based on empirical evidence.

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.

An unusual case of cocoon abdomen in a patient on hemodialysis

“Cocoon abdomen” or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. It has been described in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The exact etiology is unknown, but pathogenesis rests on chronic peritoneal inflammation. No case has been reported so far in patients on hemodialysis. We hereby report a case of cocoon abdomen presenting as refractory ascites with intestinal obstruction in a patient on maintenance hemodialysis.