Published online Oct 7, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i37.6332
Peer-review started: February 18, 2021
First decision: April 18, 2021
Revised: April 30, 2021
Accepted: August 20, 2021
Article in press: August 20, 2021
Published online: October 7, 2021
Processing time: 222 Days and 17.2 Hours
Abdominal cocoon or “encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis” (EPS) is an uncommon and rare cause of intestinal obstruction. Only a few cases have been reported in paediatric patients. Typically, EPS is described as the primary form in young adolescent girls from tropical and subtropical countries because of viral peritonitis due to retrograde menstruation or a history of peritoneal dialysis. Most patients are asymptomatic or present with abdominal pain, which is likely to occur secondary to subacute bowel obstruction. Findings at imaging, such as ultra
We present a case of EPS in a 12-year-old boy 8 wk after primary surgery for resection of symptomatic jejunal angiodysplasia. There was no history of peritoneal dialysis or drug intake.
In this report, we sought to highlight the diagnostic, surgical, and histopathological characteristics and review the current literature on EPS in paediatric patients.
Core Tip: Abdominal cocoon syndrome is rare in children. Cases with no history of previous peritoneal dialysis are practically nonexistent. Our report of a 12-year-old boy reveals that abdominal surgery can be a trigger for the development of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS). Indications for surgery for EPS are usually due to mechanical ileus, and the final diagnosis is made intraoperatively. Surgical therapy for EPS is the first choice, and total intestinal enterolysis of EPS seems to be the best approach. The long-term prognosis for children is good.