Cutaneous sclerosis: a previously undescribed manifestation of sclerosing mesenteritis.

Background: Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by self-limited, nonspecific inflammation and fibrosis of the mesenteric adipose tissue. Histologic classification characterizes 3 main stages in the evolution of the fibroinflammatory process: mesenteric lipodystrophy (ML), mesenteric panniculitis (MP), and sclerosing (retractile) mesenteritis (SM).

Observations: A 68-year-old woman with biopsy-proven MP presented with multiple asymptomatic, indurated subcutaneous nodules on both arms, as well as 2 indurated plaques on her abdomen.