Anaplastic lymphoma masquerading as sclerosing mesenteritis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare fibroinflammatory disease of unknown pathogenesis and etiology. Although more commonly benign in its clinical course, sclerosing mesenteritis can mimic certain malignant disorders, such as lymphoma. CASE REPORT: This report describes the case of a previously healthy young woman who develops an acute illness thought to be related to sclerosing mesenteritis following an extensive diagnostic work-up including biopsy sampling, which was negative for malignancy. However, despite aggressive medical care, the patient passed away. Autopsy revealed extensive inflammation secondary to anaplastic lymphoma. CONCLUSION: The case very graphically highlights an important clinical observation that lymphoma can masquerade as sclerosing mesenteritis.