Case reports
Peritoneal encapsulation: a preoperative diagnosis is possible
V Naraynsingh, D Maharaj, M Singh, M J Ramdass
Department of
Surgery, General Hospital, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies
Correspondence to: Dr Ramdass jramdass{at}tstt.net.tt
Submitted 16 February
2001;
Accepted 30 May 2001
Peritoneal encapsulation is an exceedingly rare developmental
abnormality in which the small intestine is encased in an accessory peritoneal sac between the omentum and mesocolon. Two clinical signs
associated with the dense fibrous layer encapsulating the intestine are
described. The first is a fixed, asymmetrical distension of the
abdomen, which does not vary with peristaltic activity due to the
unvarying position of the fibrous capsule. The second is the difference
in the consistency of the abdominal wall to palpation. The flat area is
firm, due to the dense fibrous capsule and the distended area soft, due
to the thin walled distended small intestine with no overlying fibrous layer.
Keywords: peritoneal encapsulation; developmental abnormality
© 2001 by The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine
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