Sclerosing peritonitis. A series of 10 cases and review of the literature
Carbonnel, F.; Barrié, F.; Beaugerie, L.; Houry, S.; Chatelet, F.; Gallot, D.; Malafosse, M.; Guerre, J.; Mignon, F.; Cosnes, J.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 19(11): 876-882
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 8746045 Document Number: 451485
The aim of this study was to describe the main features of sclerosing peritonitis, using a retrospective study in 10 patients. The main causes of sclerosing peritonitis were continual ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (n = 3), peritoneal chemotherapy (n = 2) and liver cirrhosis (n = 2). Sclerosing peritonitis was revealed by acute or chronic bowel obstruction (n = 8). Small bowel X-rays and abdominal tomodensitometry showed a small bowel dilatation with a normal mucosa (n = 7), ascites (n = 5) as well as agglutination and fixation of small bowel loops within a cocoon (n = 3). Surgical viscerolysis was performed in 9 patients and allowed prolonged clinical remission in 4; 3 patients died postoperatively (1 had a cirrhosis and 2 were treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis), 1 patient had a complicated postoperative course with recurrent enterocutaneous fistulae. Sclerosing peritonitis may be suspected in a patient who presents a combination of bowel obstruction, small bowel dilatation without mucosal disease and ascites. Surgical viscerolysis is a dangerous operation associated with high mortality in patients with renal failure or cirrhosis.