What is the best ways to treat mesentric panniculitis?

Condition analysis:
Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare autoimmune condition with the exact cause remaining unknown. Research has shown a strong relationship between tobacco use and mesenteric panniculitis.

It mainly appears as an inflammation of the fat attached to the intestines and the symptoms vary with each patient and may include abdominal tenderness, anorexia, abdominal pain, abdominal fullness, nausea, fever, and weight loss. Ultrasounds and CT scans are the most common imaging tests showing a thickening of the mesentery (fat attached to intestines). Often biopsy or open surgery is required to make a confirmed diagnosis.

The condition can be said to occur in 3 stages as per the nature of cells found at biopsy. The first stage is mesenteric lipodystrophy shows altered fat tissue. The second stage, termed mesenteric panniculitis shows build up of certain types of white blood cells and is accompanied with symptoms like fever, abdominal pain and weakness. The third stage is retractile mesenteritis and cells show collagen deposition, fibrosis, and inflammation.

Treatment of this condition depends on its stage. Treatment has been attempted with a variety of drugs including steroids, cyclophosphamide, colchicine, azathioprine, tamoxifen, or radiotherapy, with different degrees of success. Surgery is recommended only for advanced irreversible inflammatory changes or in cases of bowel obstruction. However, 1 in 5 patients getting treated may have the condition for a longer duration.

Instructions:
Treatment for panniculitis is aimed at finding a cure of the underlying condition causing the disease. The following are the proposed conventional treatments for panniculitis:

Provide rest. This can enhance the immune system and avoid aggravating the condition.

Provide anti-inflammatory medications. This is very helpful in the process as this can lower swelling and pain experienced by the affected. Medications such aspirin and ibuprofen are provided to patients.

Steroids are given to patients in oral or intravenous forms. This can lessen the inflammation that worsens the disease.

Antibiotics are also found helpful in treating infections and also to avoid development of infections.

Surgery. When the lesions are in a grave state and necrosis and ulcerations have developed, surgical treatment is to be provided. Scraping off the necrotizing tissue is done to avoid spreading.