title: [RETRACTILE MESOCOLONITIS: PATHOPHISIOLOGY AND COMPLICATIONS]
abstract: The mesentery and mesocolon are structures with suspensory functions of the small bowel and colon respectively. When they are involved by prominent fibroblastic proliferation tissue, this is know as retractile mesenteritis and retractile mesocolonitis. The retractile mesocolonitis is associated with sigmoid volvulus, and is a common finding in the rural areas of Puno (Peru). The common macroscopic appearance consists of a markedly thickened mesentery of rubbery consistency, and the retraction predisposing a twist of the bowel. The histologic features include fibrosis with massive accumulation of dense collagenous tissue. These lesions can be the expression of a reparative proccess that occurs in response to mesenteric injury of enteric bacteria (bacterial transiocation) or inflammatory response. Repeated attacks of bacterial colitis might lead to scarring of the mesocolon.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frisancho
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Frisancho
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chacón