Is sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis a rare sequela of peptic ulcer disease?

Abstract

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare disease process in which peritoneal thickening encases the intestine and can cause bowel obstruction. While there are many proposed causes of SEP, the pathogenesis of this disease is poorly understood. Herein, we describe a case of a patient with a significant medical history that included Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, chronic peptic ulcer disease, and a resected gastrinoma who presented with a closed-loop small bowel obstruction and was found to have SEP upon exploration. Because of the absence of typical risk factors commonly associated with SEP, we propose a proinflammatory state induced by chronic peptic ulcer disease as an attributing agent in the development of SEP.