Our objective is to describe the most characteristic imaging findings in the sclerosing peritonitis, by reviewing different imaging techniques, with emphasis on computed tomography (CT).

Sclerosing peritonitis is a condition characterized by chronic fibrotic thickening of the peritoneum, with a broad spectrum of gastrointestinal symptoms, which in severe cases causes encapsulation of the small bowel loops, known as sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis or abdominal cocoon. It is a rare entity, with a high morbidity and mortality. It is important to consider this pathology in patients at risk, to detect the earliest signs, and to be able to carry out the appropriate treatment. Of uncertain etiology, it is believed that chronic irritation...

Although CT is the best method to study this entity, other techniques can be helpful in its diagnosis. Findings with different imaging methods are detailed below: Radiography (X-ray): Radiographic findings are nonspecific and include centralize and curve calcifications corresponding to small-bowel or visceral peritoneum, or peripheral calcifications which can correspond to parietal peritoneum calcifications (Fig. 1). In small-bowel encapsulation, centrally located gas-filled and dilated loops of bowel may be seen [6]. Ultrasound (US): In early stages there is an increase in peristalsis and peritoneal collections,...

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is mainly a rare complication of peritoneal dialysis, with nonspecific symptoms. It has a high morbidity and mortality due to small-bowel obstruction. It is important to know the findings of this entity and keep them in mind, when studying patients at risk like in CAPD or, related to the idiopathic form, with subacute or chronic abdominal pain with no clinical history of peritoneal dialysis or other diseases. CT is needed to confirm this entity, and its diagnosis should not be delayed in...

Roy Lopez Grove. Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Cereb Tombak M et al. An Unusual Cause of Intestinal Obstruction: Abdominal Cocoon. AJR 2010; 194:W176–W178. Demir MK, Akinci O, Onur E, Koksal N. Case 108: Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis. Radiology 2007; 242:937–939. Verghese George, Varaha Sairam Tammisetti, Venkateswar Rao Surabhi, Alampady K. Shanbhogue. Chronic Fibrosing Conditions in Abdominal Imaging. RadioGraphics 2013; 33:1053–1080. Brown et al. Length of time on peritoneal dialysis and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis - Position paper for ISPD: 2017 Update. Peritoneal Dialysis International 2017, Vol. 37, pp. 362-374. Xu P, Chen LH, Li...