Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose sclerosing mesenteritis include:

• Physical exam. During a physical exam, your doctor will look for clues that may help determine your diagnosis. For instance, sclerosing mesenteritis often forms a mass in your upper abdomen that can be felt during a physical exam.
• Imaging tests. Imaging tests of your abdomen may reveal sclerosing mesenteritis. Imaging tests may include computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

• Removing a sample of tissue for testing (biopsy). If you're experiencing sclerosing mesenteritis signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend a biopsy to rule out other diseases and to make a definitive diagnosis. A biopsy sample may be collected by inserting a long needle through your skin or during surgery.

  Before starting treatment, doctors will do a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possibilities, including certain cancers such as lymphoma and carcinoid.