Abdominal Cocoon: A Potential Pitfall in Patients with Ovarian Carcinoma

Abstract

Background Abdominal cocoon, or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, is a rare condition characterized by partial or total encasement of small bowel and mesentery by a thick fibrocollagenous sack that looks like a cocoon. Within the sack, bowel loops are drawn together causing intestinal obstruction. Case presentation We report on a 57-year-old female patient who developed a very unusual complication of ovarian cancer: abdominal cocoon formation. Conclusions This report highlights the need for a timely diagnosis of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis in cancer patients.