Abdominal cocoon in an aged man: report of a case

Surg Today. 2007;37(3):258-60. doi: 10.1007/s00595-006-3343-1. Epub 2007 Mar 9.

Abstract

An abdominal cocoon is an extremely rare condition, which has been mainly reported in young adolescent women as a cause of small bowel obstruction. In these patients the small bowel is encased in a fibrous sac called an abdominal cocoon. We herein describe a 74-year-old man who demonstrated an abdominal cocoon without having any history associated with an abdominal cocoon. A laparotomy showed bloody ascites and the entire small bowel was encased in a thin white fibrous membrane like a cocoon. The small intestine entered into a defect of the membrane, thus presenting as an internal hernia with intestinal necrosis. The necrotic intestine and the membrane were removed. A histopathological examination of the membrane showed a few signs of inflammation cells.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Fibrosis
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Obstruction / etiology*
  • Intestinal Obstruction / pathology*
  • Intestinal Obstruction / surgery
  • Intestine, Small
  • Male
  • Peritonitis / etiology
  • Peritonitis / pathology*
  • Peritonitis / surgery