[Mesenteric and retroperitoneal fibrosis. A case report. Review of the literature].

The authors report a case of combined mesenteric and retroperitoneal fibrosis resulting in vascular and digestive compressions. Diagnosis was established by laparoscopy and biopsy. No etiologic factors were found. Such an association is exceptional and suggests that the disease is systemic. The possibility of fibrosis arising far from the mesenterium (mediastinum, extrahepatic biliary tract, thyroid, orbit) has led some authors to suggest that this condition be termed Idiopathic Systemic Fibrosis. An immunologic origin has been speculated in the literature.