Sclerosing peritonitis. A series of 10 cases and review of the literature

• Published in: Gastroentérologie clinique et biologique Vol. 19; no. 11; p. 876
• Main Authors: Carbonnel, F, Barrié, F, Beaugerie, L, Houry, S, Chatelet, F, Gallot, D, Malafosse, M, Guerre, J, Mignon, F, Cosnes, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.11.1995
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Diverticulitis, Colonic - complications; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Intestinal Obstruction - diagnostic imaging; Intestinal Obstruction - etiology; Intestinal Obstruction - therapy; Liver Cirrhosis - complications; Male; Middle Aged; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory - adverse effects; Peritoneum - diagnostic imaging; Peritoneum - pathology; Peritonitis - complications; Peritonitis - diagnostic imaging; Peritonitis - therapy; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Sclerosis - pathology
• ISSN: 0399-8320

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.