Peritoneal encapsulation – An unusual cause of acute bowel obstruction: A case report

• Published in: International journal of surgery case reports 2024-05, Vol.118, p.109616, Article 109616
• Main Authors: Mahmood, Sarah, Srinivasan, Rajkumar, Berney, Christophe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report; Peritoneal encapsulation; Small bowel obstruction
• ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109616

Peritoneal encapsulation (PE) is a rare congenital anomaly characterised by the presence of an accessory peritoneal membrane which encases part of the small bowel. Typically, this remains asymptomatic, however; in rare cases, a person may present with symptoms suggestive of a small bowel obstruction. Here we present a case of a 58 year old gentleman with congenital PE causing a bowel obstruction which was revealed on commuted tomography scan. He required a laparotomy and excision of the accessory sac. Pre-operative diagnosis of PE can be challenging. It can present as a bowel obstruction with unique features including asymmetric distension of the abdomen on clinical exam and cocoon-like cluster of small bowel on imaging. Congenital PE is a rare cause of bowel obstruction and should be considered early in patients presenting with symptoms of bowel obstruction without previous abdominal surgery. •Peritoneal encapsulation can present as a rare cause of small bowel obstruction•Unique features include asymmetric distension of the abdomen on examination and cocoon-like cluster of bowel on CT imaging•PE should be suspected as a cause of bowel obstructions in a virgin abdomen as it requires surgical management